Culturally Responsive Practices to Broadening Participation: Addressing the Unfinished Business of Brown in Computing Sciences

• In Event: 70.059 - Confident and Competent Black Males Doing STEM

Abstract

The effective integration of African American students into previously segregated careers was one of the main goals of the Brown decision and, in turn, the outcomes of such efforts have been the subject of much scholarly interest. This qualitative study, drawing on Critical Race Theorist Derrick Bell’s critique of Brown, makes the case for utilizing Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Theory to positively impact student achievement and career choice, particularly as it relates to the STEM field of computing sciences. Though there is a dearth in the literature regarding how to expand the pipeline to computing sciences using culturally specific practices, this study produced results that suggest culturally responsive practices as an effective method for broadening participation in computing.

Authors

• LaVar Jovan Charleston, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Sherri Ann Charleston, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Jerlando F.L. Jackson, University of Wisconsin - Madison