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Teachers, social class and underachievement

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 09:43 authored by Mairead DunneMairead Dunne, Louise GazeleyLouise Gazeley
Addressing the 'the social class attainment gap' in education has become a government priority in England. Despite multiple initiatives, however, little has effectively addressed the underachievement of working-class pupils within the classroom. In order to develop clearer understandings of working-class underachievement at this level, this small research study focused on local social processes by exploring how secondary school teachers identified and addressed underachievement in their classrooms. Our analysis shows how teachers' identifications of underachieving pupils overlapped with, and were informed by, their tacit understanding of pupils' social class position. While many teachers resisted the influence of social class, they used stereotypes to justify their practice and expectations, positioning pupils within educational and occupational hierarchies. This, we conclude, suggests the need for more systematic attention to the micro-social processes that provide the conditions through which working-class underachievement is produced.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

British Journal of Sociology of Education

ISSN

0142-5692

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

5

Volume

29

Page range

451-463

Pages

13.0

Department affiliated with

  • Education Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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