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Leveling the playing field: Ensuring African-American students access to advanced placement courses

Lawson-McKinnie, Alisa L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1458208754

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education, Cleveland State University, College of Education and Human Services.
The under-representation of African-American high school students in advanced placement classes must be understood in terms of broader school contexts and practices. This qualitative study investigated how teachers and guidance counselors contribute to the academic success of African-American students of high potential at a large suburban high school in the city of Cleveland. The purpose was to improve the participation and performance of these students in AP courses. Data indicates that (a) school employees (teachers and guidance counselors) can positively affect achievement, (b) their definitions of success shape these students’ opportunities for achievement, and (c) developing the capacities of high-potential students necessitates supported access to a challenging curriculum. The College Board’s report: Equity 2000: A Systemic Education Form Model stressed that although minority students who complete higher level math courses actually enroll in college at the same rate as their non-minority peers, a concern is that the minority students, especially African-American students, often have had a less demanding and relevant curricula. African-American students are not enrolled in or do not participate in a rigorous curriculum to the degree that non-minority students are participating. I collected data using observations, interviews, and focus groups. I targeted a large suburban high school that offered nineteen advanced placement courses, and one that had a reputation of effectiveness in supporting the academic success of African-American students. I determined why advanced placement courses were not a part of the curriculum design for these students and how to increase their enrollment in the courses.
Fred Hampton, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Brian Harper, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Mark Freeman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Mittie Davis-Jones, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Ralph Mawdsley, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
African Americans

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lawson-McKinnie, A. L. (2016). Leveling the playing field: Ensuring African-American students access to advanced placement courses [Doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1458208754

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lawson-McKinnie, Alisa. Leveling the playing field: Ensuring African-American students access to advanced placement courses. 2016. Cleveland State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1458208754.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lawson-McKinnie, Alisa. "Leveling the playing field: Ensuring African-American students access to advanced placement courses." Doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1458208754

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Cleveland State University and OhioLINK.