The Educational Strategies of the Black Middle Classes

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: Humanities and Social Sciences

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description Key Findings (discussed in greater detail in our report 'The Educational Strategies of the Black Middle Classes', and individual academic publications)



• Concerned and actively involved in education

Black middle class parents prioritise education and are actively involved in

their children's schooling. They use a range of strategies, including their class resources (eg accessing professional networks, carrying out detailed research, initiating meetings with teachers & tutors) to support their children through the

education system.



• Discomfort with the label 'middle class'

The term 'middle class' tends to provoke discomfort amongst Black middle

class parents. They often prefer to identify themselves as 'professional',

rather than 'middle class'.



• Black middle classes and racism

Racism is a reality in the lives of Black middle class families. Parents

recognise it as less overt than when they were children but nonetheless

pervasive in more subtle and coded forms affecting both them and their

children. Black middle class parents are vigilant and work to protect their children

from incidents of racism at school.



• White society's denial of racism

The Black middle classes seldom make explicit mention of racism as a

barrier to their children's educational success, even if there is evidence for it.

Experience tells them that the term 'racism' is likely to be met with

resistance and antagonism by teachers, tutors and school staff.



• Aspirations for Black middle class children

Educational achievement is seen as a key means of both supporting their

children to be socially mobile and, it is hoped, of acting as a possible barrier

against racism in their children's future.
Exploitation Route Through our focus on the Black middle classes, we believe we have i) demonstrated the numerous ways in which race discrimination persists within education independently of class factors. The current policy climate places class disadvantage (especially poverty) at the centre and assumes that race disadvantage will decrease as economic issues are addressed.

ii) increased awareness of the existence of a Black Caribbean-heritage middle class, in order to counter stereotypes of a homogenous Black working class, iii) drawn public attention to the continued underachievement of Black children, including those from professional middle class homes, iv) illustrated the changing nature of racism over our respondents' life time, but its continued impact in subtle, pervasive forms.

The research has been welcomed by Black community groups and equalities organisations, and its findings are of particular relevance to initial teacher training and later professional development, as well as other public sector services.
The research has contributed to on-going debates about class advantage and racial inequalities in society in a number of ways. The existence of the Black middle classes in the UK is commonly overlooked, and we have sought to focus attention on the problems and possibilities this group face as part of an increasingly multi-racial and multi-cultural UK society. We also sought to highlight the continued concern with the underachievement of children of Black Caribbean origin from all social backgrounds.

We have generated debate around the research findings through the media (see expecially http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/13/black-middle-class?INTCMP=SRCH) through debate and discussion with think tanks, policy makers, academics, students and the wider public .
URL http://www.ioe.ac.uk/research/32261.html
 
Description Black middle class dissemination seminars 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact We held two dissemination vents in June 2011, one for academics and policy makers and one for the wiser Black communities (held in association with the Runnymede Trust). The report received wise spread coverage (see entry on media engagement)

See entry on media engagement to describe the debate sparked
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
URL http://www.ioe.ac.uk/Study_Departments/CeCeps_The_Education_Strategies_Summary.pdf
 
Description Engagement with parliamentarians 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact There have been several engagements here. In 2011 a copy of our findings was requested by Diane Abbott MP and David Lammy MP. As a result Dr Rollock and Mr Lammy hosted a successful event in October 2011, inviting the views of key high profile Black professionals from the public, private and voluntary sectors to discuss what can be done to support Black Children's educational success.
Dr Rollock has presented by invitation to the General Teaching Council's Equalitities Forum and to the Liberal Democrats Race Equality Task Force (2012)

Engagement of decision makers with the findings of our research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011,2012
URL http://www.rota.org.uk/webfm_send/161
 
Description Guardian article and debate 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact We have had several engagements with the media since the project finishing. In association with the Runnymede Trust, we held a second dissemination event for the wider Black community. Both events were well attended and positively received. The existence of the Black middle classes in the UK is commonly overlooked, and we have sought to focus attention on the problems and possibilities this group face as part of an increasingly multi-racial and multi-cultural UK society. The Guardian (6th June 2011) published a piece reporting on the research, and also a Comment piece by a journalist reflecting on our findings. This generated a huge on-line debate, with the Guardian publishing a selection of the comments on line a week later. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/13/black-middle-class?INTCMP=SRCH. The research was also reported in The Voice and the Daily Mail. Dr Rollock has appeared on Vox Africa and local radio to discuss the project's findings.

The responses suggest a high level of public interest around issues of race, class and their intersection. The Guardian published a selection of the response to the Comment is Free piece, which indicates the level of public interest and the debate generated
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011,2012
URL http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jun/13/black-middle-class
 
Description Invited lecture 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Race, Rights and Education: a critical race perspective on Europe, xenophobia and everyday racism
An invited public lecture for the Tom Lantos Institute (TLI) as part of its series 'From the courtroom to the street: creating a popular culture of human rights'. Lecture held at the Faculty of Law, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE ÁJK), Budapest, Hungary. 16 October. 2014.

Sparked discussion and debate
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description London Schools and the Black Child 2013 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Lively debate and discussion followed Prof Gillborn's presentation at the London Schools and the Black Child Conference

Our research fed into the efforts by Diane Abbott MP and David Lammy MP to work in Parliament and without on issues connected to the education of Black children.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2013
URL http://www.blackeducation.info/conferences.aspx
 
Description conference paper: American Educational Research Association Conference 2015 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Conference paper at large international conference. Sparked discussion and debate
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description media (radio and TV ) engagement 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact That our research has resonated with Black communities is shown by invitations to Dr Rollock to appear on Voice of Africa Radio and Vox Africa (digital channel) which receives a wide audience across Africa. Dr Rollock has also presented the research findings on local radio (e.g. Ipswich Community Radio Biasmagazine 30/6/2011),.
Prof Vincent was invited to appear on Thinking Allowed on BBC R4 on 17/7/2013

Public debate generated (evidence being emails sent to us after appearances)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011,2012,2013
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qy05/broadcasts/2013/07