The alarming underachievement of African Caribbean boys in British schools and abroad in comparison to other groups is highlighted in this book. The author adopts an historical perspective to compare West Indian children who arrived in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s (many labelled as ESN) (Coard 1971) to problems faced by black boys in today's classrooms. Janet Graham also explores the impact of globalisation, population movement, government policies and diversity on black boys education provision in inner city schools in Britain. She investigates masculinity, subcultures, peer group pressures and exclusion from school and their impact on black boys education. The Institutional Focus Study sets the context for the empirical study and provides a perspective from voices of black boys in one inner London school to find out what they think about school, learning, subcultures, peer group pressures and teachers. As a contrast teachers views of the boys are also provided. This book will be of interest to educationalists, teachers, students; parents, school management and government bodies interested in race, diversity, achievement and want to bring about change to improve life chances.

Dr.Janet Graham is a teacher in an inner London school and an education researcher. She has a keen interest in the achievement of African-Caribbean children and contributed to the debate about African-Caribbean girls and boys underachievement. She developed a mentoring package to help these students in inner city schools to focus,learn and achieve.