Reflecting Society's Mirror Image: Identifying Factors that Contribute to the Academic Success of Young African American Males in School

<p>This study examined the perceptions of parents, teachers, and students as they relate to the academic success of African American middle school males. The stories of three successful middle school male students, their mothers, and their teachers were examined to identify how school and home experiences contributed to the boys‟ academic success. A critical race theory lens was used, employing ethnographic and case study methods. The mother and teachers of each student participated. Data collection methods included three focus groups, one each for the students, mothers, and teachers. The integration and connection of various themes that emerged from the data yielded the following conclusions: Parental involvement is directly linked to successful academic outcomes; possible selves (how African American males see themselves and the possibilities for their future) promote confidence and motivate students to be successful; students are motivated by practices that involve them in their own learning; and facing challenges can help students overcome obstacles. There is a need to purposefully and deliberately look at young African American males who are successful in order to shed light on the pedagogy and strategies that have contributed to their success. The understandings gained from such exploration can then be offered as ways to improve the academic performance of other African American males.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Lumpkin-Barnett, Anita

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wendy Chambers
• Ming Fang He
• Saba Jallow

• ETD
• Critical race theory
• African American males
• Ethnographic and case study inquiry
• race/ethnic identity
• culturally relevant
• Middle school
• Racial identity
• Curriculum and Social Inquiry
• Gender and Sexuality
• Race and Ethnicity

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/823

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1827