Ethnic Differences in Education and Diverging Prospects for Urban Youth in an Enlarged Europe

EDUMIGROM has published its fourth Policy Brief, European Policy Brief, which summarizes the EDUMIGROM project results in the European educational policy context. The Brief concludes that ethnically differentiated educational practices are crucial determinants of social inclusion, but in Europe’s case, these educational differences are forging inequalities that challenge the European Union’s fundamental values and chip away at the foundations of social order. The Brief gives an overview of the key observations how social and ethnic differences are manifested and reinforced in the daily working of schools. Evidence shows that children of marginalized groups, especially children of poor families of minority ethnic background, are most at risk of educational exclusion. Social alienation induces feelings of insecurity and lowers mobility aspiration among ethnic minority youth. Many children from migrant backgrounds regard the downgrading tendency in the educational system as a manifestation of institutional discrimination. The Brief lists several recommendations for the policy makers that have been developed from the EDUMIGROM research findings. These concern the access to education for all children, reducing the risk of dropping out, comprehensive early language programmes, extracurricular activities, differences in the conditions and quality of schooling and a multicultural approach to teaching.