Equity is more than recruitment and access: Supporting the success of Black and Latinx students in advanced placement coursework

Many school districts are making concerted efforts to increase participation of Black and Latinx student populations in Advanced Placement classes. Although overall enrollments are increasing for Black and Latinx students, they are less successful than their White and Asian counterparts in achieving a three or better on AP exams. This embedded case study focused on one district and examined the practices of two diverse high schools within that district. Through the Systemic Racial Equity framework, this case study examined antiracist school leadership practices that focus on supporting Black and Latinx students’ access to and success in Advanced Placement classes. Through the use of secondary survey data, school leader and teacher interviews, and student focus groups, the finding showed that once enrolled in AP coursework, Black and Latinx students were still forced to navigate racial barriers both in and outside of the classroom. For the most part, the district and school leaders relied on technical fixes and colorblind decision making within the curriculum and individual school buildings. However, the issues that prove to be the most challenging for Black and Latinx students are entrenched within an educational system that is deferential to dominant, White culture. This research asserted that school leaders who wish to create racial equity within their schools must go beyond technical fixes, develop personal competencies such as public reflection and racial consciousness, and implement practices that involve all stakeholders in both dialogue and action that focuses on addressing the deeply embedded oppression of Whiteness in schools. This case study contended if the goal for school leaders is to create whole access for all students, then they must be willing to upset and redesign systems that have traditionally benefitted only one group.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Ed Organization and Leadership

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Kucera, Michael F.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Welton, Anjalé D.
• Dixson, Adrienne D.
• Hackmann, Donald G.
• Herrmann, Mary B.

• Advanced Placement
• Antiracist Leadership
• Equity
• Racial Consciousness
• Colorblindness
• Systemic Racial Equity
• High School

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Michael Kucera

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/100905

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/100905