Monthly Archives: September 2015

Steve Strand – link between socio-economic factors and the achievement gap

Strand (2012) The White British-black Caribbean Achievement Gap

With a research interest circulating around the idea of equity gaps, particularly in relation to social class, ethnicity and gender; Steve Strand (Professor of education at Oxford) wrote about the attainment gap concerning British-Black people. Within his research Strand states that the primary reason for the achievement gap is the substantial difference in socio-economic status between white and black learners. He supported this using the labour force survey of 2004/05 that stated only 20% of white households live in poverty compared to; 25% of Indian Households, 30% of Black-Caribbean households, 45% of Black-African households, 55% of Pakistani households, and a shocking 65% of Bangladeshi households. Supporting his facts with multiple school surveys including one on school meal entitlement, strand perceived a direct link between socio-economic disadvantage and a child’s development. For example through limited material resources, higher risk of ranged and developmental issues and an indirect influence of parental education and aspiration.

Why teaching?

Teaching has always been an integral part of my life from a young age; with my mum owning, and running an early years practice in my home town of Guildford. Since this time I have periodically worked and helped at the practice, whether it be for a little extra pocket money, or purely for the enjoyment of working and watching children grow and learn at such a young age. This led me to a job within a primary school within an after school care club, in which my enthusiasm and enjoyment in caring and teaching children flourished. It was here that I finally decided on a career choice, after an arduous seventeen years of wanting to become; a footballer, an actor, a singer and even a dinosaur. Finally an epiphany came; I was due to work at the school, and I could not dream of a worse way to spend my afternoon following a rubbish day in college. However after the short three hours of work on that day came to an end, a smile arose from my face and it was then I knew I wanted to work with children. If all goes well with my MA course, I hope to not only get a career as a teacher but to work my way to the zenith of a practices hierarchy. Furthermore I wish to change the perceptions of male teachers within primary teaching, which I feel is a hugely female dominant career. This is a strong goal of mine because as a child going through school I always felt far more engaged by male teachers than I did by female teachers and felt I always put in an extra mile when working with my male teachers. I hope all goes well within my course, and hope me and everyone involved comes out with the results they strive for.