Teacher Training and the Education of Black Children - Critical ITE

In this review of Teacher Training and the Education of Black Children, the reviewer finds a focused, theory-rich text aimed squarely at teacher educators and advanced trainee teachers. The book presents a sustained argument that prevailing explanations for Black childrens underachievement are inadequate and that initial teacher education must become more race-minded and attentive to difference. Grounded in empirical case studies and scholarship from Bourdieu, hooks, Freire and Giroux, the book's single biggest reason to buy is its practical rethinking of how ITE programmes can reconceptualise achievement and classroom practice for Black pupils.

Key Features

• Theoretical framework: Draws on Bourdieu, hooks, Freire and Giroux to offer a rigorous conceptual basis for rethinking teaching and power relations in schools.
• Empirical case studies: Uses real classroom-based research to illustrate how conventional explanations for underachievement fall short and to suggest alternative approaches.
• Focus on initial teacher education: Specifically addresses how ITE curricula and practice can better prepare student teachers to work with Black children.
• Encourages teachers and students to become more deliberate about race and difference in pedagogy and assessment.
• Proposes practical implications for classroom interaction and teacher reflection informed by critical theorists.

Who It's For

This book is best for university lecturers in teacher education, experienced mentors, and postgraduate students who need a research-informed critique of mainstream explanations for underachievement. It suits readers who want a blend of empirical data and theory to change practice rather than a quick how-to manual.

It is less suitable for readers seeking elementary classroom activities, beginner-level handbooks for trainees, or general-audience introductions to diversity where anecdote rather than theory is preferred.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-grounded in contemporary social theory, offering a robust lens for analysing educational inequality.
• Empirical case studies make the theoretical claims tangible and relevant to practice.
• Clear attention to initial teacher education provides specific relevance for ITE course design and tutors.

Cons

• The book is theory-dense and may require prior familiarity with critical theorists to get the most from its arguments.

Specifications

Title	Teacher Training and the Education of Black Children
Series	Routledge Research in Education
Author	Uvanney Maylor
Focus	Initial teacher education and Black childrens achievement
Approach	Empirical case studies and critical theory
Key theorists referenced	Bourdieu, hooks, Freire, Giroux

Our Verdict

Teacher Training and the Education of Black Children is a valuable, research-led contribution for teacher educators and advanced trainees who want to interrogate assumptions about underachievement and redesign ITE practice. Its combination of case study evidence and critical theory makes it good value for those reshaping curricula and reflective practice, though readers should be prepared for a theory-heavy text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include classroom case studies?
Yes. The author uses empirical case study work to demonstrate how common explanations of underachievement operate in practice.

Is this suitable for trainee teachers?
It is most useful to trainee teachers with some theoretical background or to those supported by tutors in ITE settings; it is less of a novice how-to guide.

Which theorists inform the book?
The book draws on Bourdieu, bell hooks, Paulo Freire and Henry Giroux to frame its critique and recommendations.