Challenging cultures in initial teacher education

This article is concerned with cultures in English
education specifically in relation to teacher education
(and the development of student teachers) and the
education of Black1
pupils. The article explores three
areas which have informed my perspectives on
the cultures in initial teacher education (ITE) and in
particular the challenges faced by teacher educators
in effectively equipping student teachers to deliver
an ethnically inclusive curriculum and raise the
attainment of Black children. The areas of focus are:
Black underachievement, racism in the classroom
and teacher training which examines the education
student teachers receive and how this impacts on
the type of curriculum they deliver once qualified.