Low Attainment in Ethnic Minorities

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‘How do we account for low educational attainment among some ethnic minorities?’ Intro Functionalists believe the institution of education is harmonious, and aids a well-functioning society (Haralambos, et al., 2013, p. 665); but can this really be the case, when there is such a prominent gap in achievement children of ethnic minorities? Low educational attainment amongst some ethnic minorities is a fact; statistically Gypsy/Roma children are most likely to leave education with less than five GCSE’s, with Black Caribbean/African students also consistently performing more poorly than their white counterparts (Haralambos, et al., 2013, p. 714). The reason as to why this is the case is less clear. Many sociologists have offered explanations; culture capital, cultural deprivation, labelling of pupils, institutionalized racism and a curriculum which ignores their ethnicity. Or is it the pupils themselves who hold the answer? It has been argued that genetic inheritance determines intelligence (Richardson & Spears, 1973, p. 10) which would account for low attainment for some ethnicities. There is also a growing belief amongst Afro Caribbean boys that low attainment and restrictive speech equals masculinity and popularity within the subculture of school; failure is seen as achievement. It should also be considered, that although statistics still show low attainment of some minorities is apparent, the data of GCSE achievement shows improvement within all minorities. Is it the case that the issue has been tackled and in time will disappear? Cultural capital Bourdieu argued cultural capital is key to educational attainment (Haralambos, et al., 2003, p. 176). The higher a persons ascribed or achieved status, the more capital they have both materially and culturally to ‘trade’ within society (Haralambos, et al., 2013, p. 697). For example a middle class parent is more
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