Introduction

The introduction discusses perceptions of Black attainment, achievement outcomes and factors which facilitate and undermine the attainment more specifically of African and Caribbean students in schools and higher education within Britain. The chapter also draws on American research literature regarding African-American students, as there are known similarities in the way Africans and Caribbeans and African-Americans are reflected within educational discourse, and in both contexts the perceived ‘problematic’ nature of Black male educational outcome.