Critical Race Theory (CRT): This perspective argues that racism is not just the result of individual prejudice but is 'locked-in' to the very structure of the education system. It is seen as an inevitable and permanent feature of the institution.
Marketization and Selection: School admission policies can disadvantage ethnic minority pupils. 'Cream-skimming' allows schools to select pupils they perceive as more likely to succeed (often White middle-class), while 'silt-shifting' pushes ethnic minority pupils toward less successful schools.
The A-to-C Economy: The pressure on schools to perform well in league tables leads to 'educational triage.' Pupils perceived as having little chance of achieving a grade C/5 are often ignored, a group that disproportionately includes Black working-class boys.
Definition: An ethnocentric curriculum is one that reflects the culture, history, and values of the dominant ethnic group (in the UK, the White British majority) while ignoring or devaluing the contributions of other groups.
Subject Bias: In History, the curriculum may focus on British 'glories' while ignoring the history of colonialism or the achievements of non-European civilizations. In Literature, the 'canon' often consists almost exclusively of White European authors.
Impact on Identity: A curriculum that ignores a pupil's heritage can lead to a sense of 'symbolic violence,' where the pupil feels their culture is inferior or irrelevant to academic success, potentially lowering self-esteem and engagement.
| Feature | Individual Racism | Institutional Racism |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Personal prejudice of teachers | Systemic policies and structures |
| Example | A teacher using a racial slur | A biased assessment system |
| Visibility | Overt and easier to identify | Covert and often unintentional |
| Solution | Diversity training/Discipline | Policy reform and structural change |
Avoid Determinism: When discussing labeling, always mention that pupils are not passive recipients. Use examples like 'Innovators' to show how pupils can resist labels and still succeed.
Link Concepts: Connect institutional racism to marketization. Explain how the drive for league table success (marketization) creates the conditions for schools to discriminate against 'at-risk' ethnic groups (institutional racism).
Evaluate the Ethnocentric Curriculum: While it is a significant factor, some critics argue its impact is overstated because many ethnic groups who are 'ignored' by the curriculum (e.g., Indian and Chinese pupils) still achieve above-average results.
Check for Intersectionality: Always consider how ethnicity interacts with social class and gender. A middle-class Black pupil may have a very different school experience than a working-class Black pupil.
