Exploring Ethnicity in Initial Teacher Education: The Nationality/ies, Ethnicity/ies, and Experiences With Diversity of Student Teachers in Ireland

• In Event: 29.090 - Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: 29.090-27 - National and International Perspectives: Race, Ethnicity, and Class

Abstract

International research shows that the relative homogeneity of the teaching profession in contrast to student populations is a widespread phenomenon. The Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) study aims to gather and analyse background data from applicants to all initial teacher education (ITE) programmes in Ireland to examine and compare their diversity profiles. In this paper we consider 2013/2014 applicants and entrants to postgraduate post-primary ITE programmes, focusing in particular on their nationality/ies, their ethnic backgrounds and their experiences with diversity. In our presentation we will also examine how participants’ ethnic self-descriptions relate to their CSO (Central Statistics Office) categorisation and how both ‘ethnicity variables’ relate to participants’ views about the impact of socio-demographic factors, including ethnicity, on individuals’ achievement.

Authors

• Manuela Heinz, National University of Ireland - Galway, Ireland

• Elaine Keane, National University of Ireland - Galway

• Conor Foley, National University of Ireland Galway