External Factors of Differences in Education

In this essay I will outline how internal and external factors, cause differences between pupils in education. 

Many sociologists believe some ethnic groups are treated differently to others. Afro- Caribbean students are labelled by teachers as threatening, a study examined the relationship between some Afro- Caribbean pupils and teachers. they discovered that the majority of communication was mainly conflict and disputing, also they were more likely to be 'picked on'. Teachers often moved Caribbean students to lower sets as a punishment. Also Gilborn found a pattern within schools during his research, it emerged that Afro- Caribbean students were percieved as disruptive in lessons, and that there culture and language was not taken gladly into the school. However Wright says that Asian pupils received the opposite treatment to Afro Caribbean students getting no attention. This lack of support lead to teachers labelling Asians as having  a very basic understanding of english language therefore teachers used simplified language when talking to Asians. This theory can be criticised as the data may be specific to certain schools, teachers and students. 

Gender is also a big difference in educational attainment, females generally get better results than boys in education. Because females tend to ignore negative labelling, causing them not to develop anti school subcultures like boys. Who become disruptive, break school rules and don't complete homework. Mirza says the girls channeled their anger into success, and set aspirations for themselves. However many boys decided to rebel against education and conformed to the 'black macho lad' stereotype. To criticise this, there has been a lot of focus on black under achievers, and