Examining the Influence of School-Based Collective Socialization for High-Achieving Black Males in Mathematics

• In Event: Factors Predicting Math Achievement

Abstract

Research on high-achieving black males in mathematics is scant. Black male achievement research often focuses on minimizing deficits, but much can be learned from studying high achievers as well. Since it has been documented that adult role models can enhance academic achievement (Ainsworth, 2010), this study measured the impact of peer role models on black male mathematics achievement. Using a national dataset, findings show that having access to an average proportion of high-achieving black males increases the likelihood of black males earning top-quartile mathematics scores by 70 times. Conversely, having access to an average proportion of high-achieving students in general did not enhance the likelihood of black males earning top-quartile scores. Recommendations for enhancing black male mathematics achievement are discussed.

Authors

• Kenneth Alonzo Anderson, Howard University

• Keith E. Howard, Chapman University