Equality of Access for Pupils from Minority Ethnic Communities

by Fernando Diniz; Presented in March 2000

Working with black/minority ethnic families of children with SEN: areas of concern

Presented in March 2000

INCLUSION, RACISM, DISABILITY & SEN:

Implications of MacPherson Report for Education Policy & Practice in Scotland.

Presentation by Fernando Almeida Diniz, Department of Equity Studies & Special Education, University of Edinburgh

1. Social Inclusion &'Race' in Scottish Education

2. Race & Disability/SEN

3. Black-led Community Voluntary Sector Provision

1. RE-CONCEPTUALISATION

• INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
• CENTRALITY OF BLACK IDENTITY & PARTICIPATION
• INVISIBILITY OF 'RACE' in 'SOCIAL INCLUSION' DISCOURSE

2. SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION:

• REPRESENTATION
• HOLISTIC & PARTICIPATIVE APPROACH
• INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, ETHOS & CULTURES
• PROFESSIONAL 'TERRITORIES' & 'NORMS'

SYSTEMIC BARRIERS & OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION

1 : RE-CONCEPTUALISATION

Invisibility of 'Race' in 'Social Inclusion' Discourse

2: INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, ETHOS & CULTURE

Schooling & Curriculum Experience:
Paper policies on EO
Multiculturalism = 'bilingualism'
Racism unacknowledged or underplayed or bolted on
Professional Resistance
Educational Research is 'Colour-Blind'

Black Participation & Representation
Curriculum Policy formulation & action
Decisionmaking procedures concerning children
School Boards & PTAs, other 'fora'
Professionals at all levels & sectors

Racial Equality Assurance
No National Indicators of Minimal Standards
National Ethnic monitoring non-existent
Scottish HMI/Ed Management 'all white perspective'

An Inclusive Society for 'All Scots'

Competing Discourses:

Identity
- Who is and is not Scot! Other identities?

Nationalism
- Who is a 'real Scot'?

Culture
- Whose? Who defines? 'Bravehearts and Bangra'!

Language
- Which ones?

Creed-
Sectarianism? Islamophobia?

Racism -
Invisible

Ethnicity
- A label for Third World people?

Impairment - Disability - SEN - Consensus?

WHOSE VOICE?

Assimilation? Mainstreaming? Inclusion?

Equality of access