Explores the influence of environmental and cultural factors on the academic achievement of black male students, examining ways in which these factors shape the relationship between identity, particularly related to race and gender, and school performance. Offers diffuse and direct strategies for countering harmful environmental and cultural…

Considers how to help black male students develop the capacity for critical social and cultural analysis to participate in a wider range of school activities. Explains how the structure of the school can put limits on black male identities and participation and suggests ways to overcome those limits. (LRW)

With the contention that prior theories have offered complex conceptions and indirect, qualitative measurement methods, and that social influence models have failed to integrate divergent findings, the authors attempt to integrate interest, cultural, and social contributions in a discussion of the dynamics underlying the achievement orientations…

Presents results of ethnographic research into sociocultural influences on the academic performance of black students at a correspondence education university in South Africa. A contextual and individualistic/holistic approach was used in the case studies. Performance was influenced by various factors based on circumstances and attitudes. (MMU)

This study explored the influences of social, psychological, and cultural determinants of underachievement as perceived by 148 intermediate grade African-American students in gifted, above average, or average academic programs. Psychological factors played the greatest role in underachievement or poor achievement motivation. Underachievement…

Students in two desegregated urban high schools agreed on the definition of a good student but disagreed on the acceptability of the model for blacks. Six black high achievers, within these contrasting environments (middle-class versus working-class) show how they respond to the conflict of being black and a model student. (MMU)

This collection examines the history and current status of the economic, political, social, and psychological factors that influence the academic achievement of low-income African Americans. The introduction, "Afro-American Students and Academic Achievement" (J. K. Asamen), outlines the historical development of black education and…

This bibliography has been produced in association with the Center for Urban Studies of the University of Chicago for use in its project entitled "The Urban Negro American in the Twentieth Century." Central emphasis is on the black child; lesser stress is on Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and American Indian children; and some attention is given…

THE FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS, PEER RELATIONS, PERSONAL VALUES, AND ATTITUDES WHICH DISTINGUISH BETTER FROM POORER READERS, AND TEACHER CHARACTERISTICS RELATED TO IMPROVEMENT OR DECLINE IN READING ABILITY BETWEEN THIRD AND SIXTH GRADE TESTING POINTS, WERE INVESTIGATED. INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED WITH 705 6TH, 8TH, 10TH AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO WERE…

The value of a strong athletic program to the academic community is discussed along with proper methods of recruitment, uses of grants-in-aid, renewal and reform of sports programs, and solutions to the countless problems the "Big Game" generates. Replete with examples from literature, anthropology, psychology, and sociology, as well as…

Describes social, cultural, and psychological factors that can influence academic achievement of African-American students by gender and placement in gifted or nongifted academic programs. Results with 148 African-American fifth and sixth graders in an urban Ohio elementary school demonstrate more importance for academic program than for gender.…

A detailed study is reported of the linguistic adaptation of a white girl in a predominantly black school in Camden, New Jersey. The girl is a cultural heroine in the area, having earned the admiration of both blacks, and Puerto Ricans by her ability in fighting, dancing, talking, and dealing with the opposite sex. Subjective reaction tests show…

Shared cultural backgrounds and norms about how to use language can influence classroom interactions for minorities, including African Americans. Research finds serious problems when teachers' interactional styles differ from that of students' home communities. The differences can prevent full student participation and limit academic progress.…

This book focuses on the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence the achievement of black youth who are gifted or potentially gifted, the prevention of underachievement, and appropriate interventions in cases of underachievement. The roles that families, educators, peers, and students themselves must play in promoting the…

This review examines African American students' access to science and mathematics education, their status and achievement in these fields, factors influencing achievement, and strategies to address the current situation. African Americans are highly underrepresented in the scientific and technical fields. This situation should be corrected because…