African Americans and education
In 2000, over 85% of African Americans had completed high school with
the commitment to complete advanced programs of study. However, only
half of African American students enrolled in college following high
school graduation. Research has indicated that African American high
school students had different school experiences that lacked college
preparation in comparison to their White classmates. The lack of
postsecondary education for African American students puts them at a
higher risk for poverty due to unemployment or under employment.
Black English, Vernacular Black English or Ebonics is a linguistic system used primarily by working-class African Americans. Teacher bias against the use of Black English in the classroom relates to its stigma to lower social class. The rejection of Black English by instructors is detrimental to the academic development and achievement of students.
African American students are at high risk for being disproportionately labeled as having emotional and behavioral disorders and mental retardation. They are also at high risk for dropping out of school, poverty, and overrepresented in prisons. African Americans also score significantly lower on achievement tests compared to their White classmates, which has lead to the importance of closing the achievement gap.
Black English, Vernacular Black English or Ebonics is a linguistic system used primarily by working-class African Americans. Teacher bias against the use of Black English in the classroom relates to its stigma to lower social class. The rejection of Black English by instructors is detrimental to the academic development and achievement of students.
African American students are at high risk for being disproportionately labeled as having emotional and behavioral disorders and mental retardation. They are also at high risk for dropping out of school, poverty, and overrepresented in prisons. African Americans also score significantly lower on achievement tests compared to their White classmates, which has lead to the importance of closing the achievement gap.
