Topic: African-American Males Experience in Schools

Ambernecia Warren

Student name:

*** Attach a complete reference list.

1) What I did to explore this topic? (check allthat apply) (for best variety utilize at least one
reference from each Tier.
Tier I
___ Textbook (for this class)
___ Peer Reviewed Journal articles
___ Academic Books
Tier II
___ Interviews (peers, employers, other teachers, students, relatives)
___ Non-Academic Books
___ Newspaper or magazine articles
___ Web pages (specify)
___ Other (specify) - Theses and Dissertations
Write a brief explanation of your research protocol. How and why did you select the
resources you used for this research? (150 words max.)
My research protocol consisted of using ERIC and scholarly.google.com. These
websites are what I believe are the best search engines to find exactly what I was looking
for. Searching different phrases in both search engines gave me different results, to which
I was not disappointed. I chose my sources from these websites because I believe that
these articles were the best to explain the topic in depth.
While I was searching for the negative articles are African American males
experiences in schools, I was delighted to see other articles about these males who are
excelling in school, despite what media and counterparts believe about African American
males. I was a bit relieved that those articles were in there and I chose a couple of articles
about these excelling scholars. Moreover, reading through a few more articles made me
realize that there are other factors that have a huge impact on African American males
school successes.

2) Provide a bulleted list overview of facts you learned through conducting this search:
(indicate through appropriate citations where your new knowledge was gained.)Do not
use direct quotes; do provide page or paragraph numbers in the citation.

African American students understand the significance of graduating high school,

though many continue to experience poor school achievement and high rates of
dropout (Rolland, 2011; p.15, paragraph 2).
African American males early experiences contribute to the low graduation and high
dropout rates (Rolland, 2011; p. 16, paragraph 1).
Students are assessed and labeled early in their school career and that such labels
have implications for academic success down the line (Kenyatta, 2012; paragraph 3).
Studies show that African American males in U.S. public schools have become
frequent targets of cruel disciplinary sanctions (Butler, Joubert, & Lewis, 2009; p. 2
paragraph 1).
Critical Race Theory is a lens that facilitates a discussion about race, class, and
gender to be the centerpiece for an analysis of African American male
underachievement (Howard, 2008; p.956).
Students socioeconomic status background determines how students are treated by
adults within schools (Kenyatta, 2012).
African American males behavior is often misunderstood. A misunderstanding can
cause educators to conclude that African American males are naturally rude and have
a dislike towards schooling (Bell, 2010).

3) Provide a synthesis/analysis in paragraph form of how the facts noted above bring
meaning to the topic. Explain why the facts are important/significant. Provide an
analysis of your learning on the topic. (Do not merely repeat the facts.) (250 words
max.)
The public has beliefs why African American males are not succeeding in the
classroom and have difficulties succeeding in other areas in life, but unless research is not
done to find exactly why this is happening to a particular group of people across the
United States, I believe that African American males will not receive the assistance they
need. The facts listed above are just a few explanations why this group in not excelling in
school and in particular, what factors that are causing African American males to stray
from staying focused on academics and be more attentive to insignificant substances that
are not helping them become better beings and better students.

The facts are important because they are primarily the causes of these males
behaviors, actions, and decisions, during elementary, middle, and high school. These
behaviors, actions, and decisions often determine the future of these students, which is
not likely to include postsecondary education. Instead, futures of these students might
either consist of dropping out of high school and eventually getting a GED, working in a
facility that does not pay sufficiently for anyone to live properly, or even frequent violent
activity with others with similar background.
These facts also represent that some are aware of this issue, and yet, there is little
being done about it. There is little effort implemented in some schools, although I am
aware of schools that are putting forth effort to see these students excel currently and in
their future endeavors.
4) Apply your learning to the topic. Describe an issue or aspect of the topic that is relevant
to professional educational settings OR present a brief case study of an incident or
situation related to this issue (raise questions and/or propose solutions). Demonstrate that
you understand how to apply the topic to the profession of teaching. (250 words max.)
It is from my understanding, that African American male students in public
schools are not being assisted or guided entirely throughout their years in elementary,
middle, and high school. Teachers considered themselves as dedicated professionals that
seek to aid in students learning, developing skills, and preparing them for postsecondary
education and careers, but teaching only school subjects is simply not enough when
recognizing troubled youth, especially African American males. This does not go to say
that teachers are solely responsible for the endeavors of African American males, but that
they are truly important figures in these students lives, whether they (both teacher and
students) realize it or not. It is equally important that parents of African American males

are to be more attentive to and more involved in their childs life. Guidance and learning
from home by both mother and father are significant in aiding the childs learning
experiences at school.
Growing up in a predominately African-American town and attending a
predominately African American public school with 99% of the teachers being African
American, I have witnessed a few of my male classmates, act unruly in the classroom and
are constantly punished for it. In school and out of school suspensions were likely
consequences, but did not prevent further unacceptable behaviors. African American male
teachers were scarce throughout K-12, which I believe was one of the main reasons why
my classmates did not receive proper guidance, only adequate attention to get them
through high school.

Reference List: (include a reference list in APA Style 6th edition) (reference list does
NOT count toward page limitations)
Bell, E. (2010). Understanding African American males. pp. 1-20.
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED514552.pdf
Butler, B. R., Joubert, M.D, & Lewis. C.W. (2009). Whos really disrupting the
classroom? An examination of African American male students and their
disciplinary roles. The National Journal of Urban Education and Practice, 3(1).
pp. 1-12. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED511847.pdf.
Howard, T.C. (2008). Who really cares? The disenfranchisement of African American
males in pre k-12 schools: a critical race theory perspective. Teachers College
Record, 110(5). pp. 954-985. http://www.tcrecord.org/Content.asp?
ContentId=14652.
Kenyatta, C. (2012). From perception to practice: how teacher-student interactions affect
African American male achievement. Journal of Urban Learning, Teaching, and
Research, 8. pp. 36-44. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ979953.pdf.

Rolland, G. (2011). African American male students perceptions of factors that

contribute to their academic success. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper
386. http://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/386/.

Grading Rubric: (Include this rubric to facilitate grading your assignment.)

Research
Quantity

Does not meet Passing (C)

Expectations
(D)
0-1Reference 2References
(0-3)
(7)

Research
APA Style

No reference
list (0pts)

Research
Quality
Facts
Synthesis
or Analysis

Applicatio
n

Reference list
is not in APA
style (1 pts.)

Good (B)

Superior (A)

Grading

3references
(10)

More than
3references
(15)
Reference list
is in APA
style, 6th
edition (5pts.)

15 pts
max

Reference list
5 pts
is not APA
max
style (few or
minor errors)
(2pts)
Did the student seek out an appropriate variety of references? 10 pts
Do the references support student engagement and learning?
max
7 or more facts = 10 pts.; 5-6 facts = 7 pts.; 3-4 = 4 pts.; less
10 pts
than 3 = 2pts.
max
Merely
Synthesis of
Cohesive
Clear and
30 pts
reiterates the
facts, but
synthesis of
cohesive
max
facts. (0-14
lacks
facts, some
synthesis and
pts.)
cohesiveness analysis, but
analysis of
or
significance
topic. (25significance. is unclear.
30pts)
(15-19 pts.)
(20-24 pts.)
Does not
Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates 30 pts
demonstrate
emerging
adequate
superior
max
understanding understandin understandin understanding
of the topic in g of the topic g of the topic of the topic in
relation to the in relation to in relation to relation to the
field of
the field of
the field of
field of
teaching. (0teaching. (15- teaching. (20- teaching. (2514 pts.)
19 pts.)
45 pts.)
30pts)
SCORE: ______ of 100

*please leave this grading rubric in place at the end of your assignment so that I can
easily use it for grading purposes.