Asses the claim that ethnic differences in educational achievement are primarily the result of school factors.

Differences in educational achievement can be demonstrated through ethnicity, this can be for a number of reasons. Write(1992) found that teachers treated and perceived ethnic pupils differently from white pupils. Sewell (1996) said ‘Many people are fearful of black boys.’ This stereotyping could lead to the ‘black boys’ receiving a different teaching approach, therefore a worse education. All the students should be treated equally but African-Caribbean boys have been labelled as unruly, disrespectful, difficult to control and ‘reject the white dominated education system’(O’Donnel 1991). This labelling may lead to self-fulfilling prophecy, and the boys behaviour continuing as they believe the label to be true.

Allowing a child to have a good education not only depends on school factors but other factors such as family and peer groups. For example, parents who provide a higher income can provide their children with much needed resources such as money for trips, equipment and uniform. Higher socially economic groups such as Asians and Chinese out perform…