What happens to a dream deferred? : a study of the academic achievement of black males from an affluent high school

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Authors
Williams, Melita J.
Advisor
McKinney, Joseph R.
Issue Date
2015-07-18
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (D. Ed.)
Department
Department of Educational Leadership
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The achievement gap refers to the disparity in the academic performance between groups of students. According to current research, there is an academic achievement gap that exists between Black students and White students (NAEP, 2014). Although this gap has decreased over the last few decades, the disparity in the academic achievement of Black students and White students continues to persist. Researchers suggest that the underperformance of Black students is not based on the lack of ability but can be attributed to social, cultural, and educational factors that will be explored in this study. Current research attributes much of the academic achievement gap to specific cultural and social factors that impact academic achievement such as socioeconomic status, cultural competence of the school systems, and lack of identification with school for Black students. The goal of this quantitative study is to explore these factors and how they impact the academic achievement of Black students who attend a high performing school system in order to have a better understanding of how SES and race impact the academic achievement of Black students.