Trends in statistics have shown Chinesepupils to achieve the best in education, whereas black Caribbean and Gypsy Roma pupils have fallen behind. Some identify ethnic differences as the result of external factors, such as language skills, family structure, attitudes and values, and material deprivation - which place minority ethnic groups at a disadvantage. However, some sociologists argue ethnic differences occur through factors inside the school environment - notably, the ethnocentric curriculum, labelling, pupil subcultures and institutional racism.
EXTERNAL FACTORS - LINGUISTIC SKILLS
Some pupils speak a different language and some pupils speak an informal version of English. Bereiter and Engelmann state that the black Caribbean language is ungrammatical and disjointed, which means they cannot convey abstract ideas.
EXTERNAL FACTORS - FAMILY STRUCTURE
There are higher rates of lone-parent families in black ethnicities. Moynihan found that many black families are headed by a lone mother, leading to lower achievement of black boys due to how they do not have a male role model.
EXTERNAL FACTORS - ATTITUDES AND VALUES
Some sociologists argue that some black pupils have a fatalistic outlook on life, meaning they want immediate gratification and have limited motivation to achieve in the long term.
EXTERNAL FACTORS - MATERIAL DEPRIVATION
Many minority ethnic groups are victims of racism in wider society, subsequently they face direct or indirect discrimination at work or in the housing market, and in turn, they may be in low paid jobs or unemployed. This impacts upon the children's educational opportunities.
