Mono-ethnic to multi-ethnic: exploring change in four schools which went from mono-ethnic to multi-ethnic student populations
Vekic, Krizan
(2014)
Mono-ethnic to multi-ethnic: exploring change in four schools which went from mono-ethnic to multi-ethnic student populations.
PhD thesis, Dublin City University.
This thesis explores change in four inner-urban DEIS schools which went from
mono-ethnic to multi-ethnic student populations between 2000 and 2010. Lightfoot
argues that work in the area of education is 'ahistorical' offering a 'snapshot' of
school life. Thus, this research adopts an 'evolutionary view' seeking to unravel
changes to key areas of school life over a period of time. In order to explore change,
this inquiry employed case studies. Four secondary schools, with 'high'
concentrations of minority ethnic students, were selected. Qualitative data from
interviews and focus groups was collected. Quantitative data, in the form of
enrolment records and Leaving Certificate results were gathered. Official schoolbased
documents were also reviewed. The research process unearthed changes to
five key areas of school life. It reveals that the classroom became more conducive to
teaching and learning, school academic standards improved, and that relations
between Irish and minority ethnic students evolved. It further uncovers that staff
came to accept a new school identity and that over the ten year period all four
schools became inclusive Catholic schools. In general, the changes brought about by
the demographic shift in the student populations, were profound and positive.