Acting or Opting Out: Examining Barriers to Recruitment, Retention, and Success for African American Males in Middle School Gifted Education Programs

• In Event: Closer Examination of Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Through Focused Lenses

Abstract

An increased body of research on the recruitment, retention, and success of African American students provides guidance for educators to understand factors that effect African American male underrepresentation in gifted programs. Beginning in upper elementary school and well into middle school, African American males rarely want to take part in gifted programs since they are usually perceived as “acting white. This paper highlights some of the complexities involved in attempting to retain and support African American males at the secondary level in gifted education programs. Findings from interview and archival data are reported that provide insight on how African American males and their parents perceive gifted programs and what variables influence their participation, and choices to participate or not participate.

Author

• York Williams, West Chester University of Pennsylvania