ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore possible sources of bias in the assessment of bilingual and ethnic minority pupils as a precursor for defining action that might be taken to minimise its negative effects. Part of my unwillingness to investigate in depth, before now, questions surrounding the topic of assessment has been an awareness that it is a highly complex area and that I find studies dealing with issues of assessment make dry and rather difficult reading. I decided to experiment with an alternative format to that of the ‘traditional essay’. I felt that if I could submit a few of the more complex and possibly emotive ideas under examination in an different style, I might succeed in making the study informative yet engaging and accessible.