Student Teachers and Attitudes towards ‘Race’: the role of citizenship education in addressing racism through the curriculum

Abstract

This research explores the attitudes of postgraduate student teachers in England towards issues of ‘race'; their personal values, the changing nature of racism in society, and the role that education has to play in challenging racism. The research findings are discussed in the context of the recent recommendations made by the Advisory Group on Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy in Schools (AGECTDS, 1998), the Crick Committee, and Curriculum 2000 guidance on Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and citizenship education (QCA, 1999). The research finds that the vast majority of students hold very positive attitudes towards a diverse and pluralistic society, and are convinced of the importance of education in fostering civic virtues of tolerance and respect for all sections of society. However, this is accompanied by high levels of anxiety about how to incorporate these issues into their teaching, with many students feeling that their training has left them unprepared for enhancing citizenship awareness in schools. This article explores the students' attitudes to ‘race’ issues, and discusses the implications for initial teacher education institutions as they prepare student teachers for delivering citizenship education.