The issue of racial discrimination in schools is one that continues to be highly relevant today, particularly in English-speaking countries where racial inequality has a long history.
Examining the issue of racial discrimination in schools is a frequent long-form essay task, and this guide provides a detailed breakdown of a model answer to help you structure a compelling and nuanced argument.
📋 Exam Question
Read the material below.
Write a text in which you reflect on whether it is important to discuss the issue of racial discrimination in school in English-speaking countries today. Use the material below in your answer. You may add other material you find relevant.
Text A
Teachers across the country are avoiding explicit conversations about race, racism and racial inequality because of a series of recent laws passed in several states. In Iowa, for example, a law prohibits any teaching that suggests the U.S. is fundamentally or systematically racist or sexist. The Iowa law also specifies that teachers must ensure that no student feels "discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of that individual's race or sex." The laws in other states lay out similar logic. (Excerpt from the article 'In Schools, Honest Talk about Racism Can Reduce Discrimination' in Scientific American)
Text B
Children are capable of discussing issues of racism in the classroom and with friends, but parents and teachers are actively avoiding these conversations, new research by Monash University [in Australia] shows. […]
[In a study,] [m]any teachers were found to have silenced conversations as they didn’t actively engage in discussions about race, racism or racial bias.
Interestingly, teachers didn’t agree nor believe that racism occurred in their schools and believed “children don’t see race”, subsequently silencing the issue. (Excerpt from the article 'Kids aren't racist, are they? Code of silence at schools stunts long-term racial literacy', published on Monash University's website.)
Text C
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
- Nelson Mandela, South-African President
✏️ Model Answer with Didactic Analysis
Below is a solid model answer that would likely receive a high grade. Following each paragraph of the original essay, you will find an analysis from an examiner's perspective, explaining why the paragraph is effective and how its ideas could be further developed for an even stronger response.
The issue of racial discrimination in schools is one that continues to be highly relevant today, particularly in English-speaking countries where racial inequality has a long history. In recent years, there has been a trend of avoiding discussions about race and racism in classrooms, especially in the wake of new laws that restrict how educators can address these topics. It is important to reflect on whether these conversations are necessary, given the social climate and the role of schools in shaping the attitudes of future generations. …