ABSTRACT
This chapter explores particularly the position of West Indian children in British schools in terms of their achievement, and characteristics, that might lead them to be referred as mild educational subnormality (ESN-M). It utilizes the data collected from the professionals to indicate that their beliefs about West Indian children might lead to decisions to refer and classify these children as ESN-M, in terms of the referral and assessment criteria that are used. The chapter examines the decisions made on the Asian and other immigrant children. The doctors were, as might be expected, more medically oriented in their beliefs about the children of immigrant parentage. The 'ESN issue' has taken on a profound symbolic significance for the West Indian community. The study population West Indian children would thus appear to support the proposition that West Indian children tend to be referred on behavioural as well as educational criteria, with the behavioural criterion taking precedence.
