Ethnicity and Achievement ­ External
Many sociologists argue that ethnic differences in achievement can best be explained by looking at
factors outside the school ­ in the home, family and culture of the child and the impact of wider
society

Cultural Deprivation
Cultural deprivation theory sees the under-achievement of some…

Daniel Moynihan 1965
- Argues that because many black families are headed by a lone mother, their children are
deprived of adequate care
- This is because she has to struggle financially in the absence of a male breadwinner
- The father's absence also means that boys lack an adequate…

Sutton Trust 2004
- 80% of 11-16 year old ethnic minority pupils aspired to go to university
- 68% of white pupils aspired to go to university
Lupton 2004
- Studied four mainly working class schools
- Two predominantly white, one serving a largely Pakistani community and the fourth
drawing…

- Anti-racist education: a policy that challenges the prejudice and discrimination that exists in
schools and wider society

Material Deprivation
Material deprivation means a lack of those physical necessities that are seen as essential of normal
for life in today's society. Working class are more likely to face poverty and…

This helps to explain why members of ethnic minorities are more likely to face unemployment and
low pay, and this in turn has a negative effect on their children's educational prospects