And because social science research has focused primarily on group deficits rather than factors that have stymied progress, it has provided few clues as to how to construct support systems, even where there is a genuine wish to do so. At the same time, scientific and technological changes have raised the educational requirements for successful and fulfilling careers, placing an even greater burden on underserved communities and schools. Societal efforts to overcome the ill effects of prejudice and discrimination for African Americans have not been effective enough there continue to be inequities in almost every aspect of life, including education (Matthew, Rodrigue, & Reeves 2016 W.K. Past and present economic and social conditions are at the root of the achievement gap. Researchers have found that “the persistence of the educational achievement gap imposes on the United States the economic equivalent of a permanent national recession” (McKinsey & Company 2009, 6). The achievement gap is a problem not only for African American students and their families and communities it affects the well-being of the entire country. ![]() Others progress through school but do not excel they are less often enrolled in honors courses in high school or accepted into competitive four-year colleges (Stanford CEPA, n.d. In adolescence, many of them fail courses and drop out of school. African American children, on average, score lower on tests and are given lower grades than Asian, White, and Latino students. School performance constrains the future opportunities of many African Americans. When matched for social class, the gap in educational achievement between African Americans and other groups is substantial. Black students continue to pursue educational excellence despite the many unnecessary obstacles they face due to constructions and perceptions of race, class, gender, and sexual orientations in America.Įarly childhood education is an increasingly important aspect of American life, predicting not only later school outcomes but also career and work options, economic stability, health, and social opportunities (Sanders-Phillips et al. We must acknowledge the broader diversity in and of the African American experience and celebrate that all Black children are born geniuses. She said, “Why that’s just common sense! They pay you for that?” Common sense, and still it’s an uncommon practice among many. I told her I try to incorporate a rich diversity of experiences for kids into educational settings. My mother, who had less than two years of formal education, once asked me what I do for a living. ![]() Today, I ask my students to think about their own cultures and life experiences as the first step in understanding and relating to the children and families they will encounter in the field. The more I learned about why they held their beliefs, the more I understood. My first jobs exposed me to people who saw the world differently than I. Understanding the role of culture in development is important.
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