Teacher Attitudes and Afro/Caribbean Educational Attainment

Abstract

This article argues that there is very little empirical support for the theory that teachers’ negative racial views and low expectations are a major factor in explaining the relatively low educational attainment of Afro/Caribbean students. It also questions the plausibility of this frequently advanced theory given other research evidence on teachers’ perceptions of their students. Finally, it suggests an alternative explanatory factor—that Afro/Caribbean students are perhaps more likely to attend less effective schools.