Assess the view that differences in educational achievement between ethnic groups are primarily the result of discrimination in schools [20] In terms of educational achievement, there is evidence of inequalities among different ethnic groups. For example, Whites and Asians on average do better than Blacks. Some would say that this is primarily the result of discrimination in schools, an internal factor. However this is not the case as it is due to external factors such as the influence of home and family background and wider society. On the one hand it could be said that it is down to discrimination in schools that there is evidence of ethnic differences in educational achievement.
The case of Brown v. Board of Education was a huge turning point for African Americans to becoming accepted into white society at the time. (Tashnet 62) Brown vs. Board of Education was not simply about children and education it was about being equal in a society that claims African Americans were treated equal, when in fact they were definitely not. This case was the starting point for many Americans to realize that separate but equal did not work. Brown v. Board of Education brought this out, this case was the reason that blacks and whites no longer have separate restrooms and water fountains, this was the case that truly destroyed the saying separate but equal, Brown vs. Board of education truly made everyone equal. The Supreme Court jointed five cases under the heading of Brown vs. Board of Education, because each sought after the same legal outcome.
This case saw by the Supreme Court justified educational admissions to sort by race in good faith and made the concept of diversity when dealing with education to be constitutionally acceptable. This case has tremendous influence on the Fisher vs. the University of Texas et al. because it brings forth the notion of the degree to which schools use race as a factor in the application process. (Liptak) The United States District Court in W.D. Texas the Austin division had a judge that ruled in favor of the defendants, the University of Texas and found that their policy was “narrowly tailored to further a compelling government interest” which therefore made it constitutional under the Equal Protection Clause under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Black students scoring lower than White students, but this can be looked at from many different angles. When we think back in history the first ones allowed to have an education were wealthy white males. As time passed and new laws were put in place women along with African Americans were also given the chance to an education. But of course Black children did not receive the same education as White students. In Death at an Early Age by Jonathan Kozol, he describes the conditions of African American schools as horrible, where children were mistreated.
The Supreme Court argued that the segregation of education had a negative effect on those who were black as it made them feel less worthy and could influence low self-esteem among those who were black. The Supreme Court realised other important things such as the fact that America was changing as were the attitudes of some Americans as there was a growth in black middle class, they also realised that for over 60 years the Southern States had failed to provide education that was actually equal, they became aware that the education that they were providing for blacks did not meet the ideals that they were fighting for in the Cold War and lastly the verdict of the supreme court was reached because of a change of leadership in the Supreme Court, the new leader Earl Warren was much more sympathetic towards civil rights than the
In short, the Court was asked to determine whether the segregation of schools was at all constitutional. In this case discrimination was the main factor in which affected the rights of African American’s to have more freedom. The Supreme Court's opinion in the brown case of 1954 legally ended decades of racial segregation in America's public schools. Originally named
For example, Wright (1992) found that teachers perceived and treated minority ethnic pupils differently from white pupils. Afro-Caribbean boys were often expected to behave badly and they received a disproportionate amount of negative teacher attention. Other sociologists claim that non-school factors such as family structure and home background have a greater impact on the educational achievement of different ethnic groups. Assess the claim that ‘ethnic differences in educational achievement are primarily the result of school factors’ (20 marks) Patterns of ethnic achievement are complex, cross-cut by gender and social class. For example Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi students do worst compared to Indians and Chinese who do best.
Assess sociological explanations for ethnic differences in achievement. (20 Marks) There are many reasons for ethnic differences in achievement, it’s been found that Indian and Asian pupils achieve higher than White, African-Caribbean, and Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils. One possible cause of ethnic differences in education is labeling, sociologist Gillborn found that teachers would label and therefore discipline black pupils quicker than other pupils which would do the same things and this would create a self fulfilling prophecy of the teachers thinking that black pupils would misbehave and do poorly and the pupils would accept that and with the extra lack of teacher help and increased discipline would therefore fail. Gillborn and Youdell think that this is because teachers label black pupils as being more likely to cause problems and rebel, with the teachers labeling the black pupils like this it makes them feel picked on and that the teachers underestimated them. Another result of the negative labeling of black pupils is the higher exclusion rate and the higher chances of black pupils to be put in sets below their actual abilities, which can only lead those black pupils to underachieve.
Should Race Matter in Adoption: A Synthesis on Race in Adoption Bandar Alreshidi Reading/Composition 6 American Language and Cultural program University of Idaho Did you know that only 5% of white women adopt children of other races? (Stolley 1993). Interracial adoptions can be a very controversial topic. However, there are different views on this issue. Many people claim that this distinction in race is necessary because the society in which we live is still racist and only parents of the same ethnic group would be able to give enough cultural support to the children.
In the United States there are a lot of stereotypes about students of color. These stereotypes stem from facts regarding the current black-white achievement gap in education. Paige, Witty, Lynch, and Thernstrom give support on the facts of the achievement gap and why it still exists today. The achievement gap in education has also been discussed in many documentaries, including, “The Lottery” and “No Textbook Answer.” These two documentaries will be used to help answer the research question: Why does the achievement gap in education exist? This achievement gap is present before children even start school.