Diversity, Choice and Ethnicity: the effects of educational markets on ethnic minorities

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Abstract
This article discusses some of the effects of the creation of an educational market, based on parental choice of school, on ethnic minority students. It notes that from the 1960s to the 1980s educational policy and practice changed slowly to accommodate minority students more successfully and principles of social justice and equity in education began to be regarded as important. However, the new market framework which encourages competition and separation has begun to affect the education of minority students in mainly negative ways. The urban location and social class position of most minority students disadvantages them in a situation of market competition, as does the effect of the devolution of funding to schools. Minority students are less likely to be sought after as ‘desirable’ commodities by schools and more likely to be excluded. The market also encourages ethnic and racial segregation as white parents are now able openly to choose schools with few or no minority students, but black and Asian middle‐class parents are likely to make similar ‘choices‘—avoiding inner‐city schools.