Speaking Their Truths, Naming Their Gifts: Black Male Middle School Students' Perceptions of Their Assets

• In Event: Roundtable Session 49
  In Roundtable Session: Promoting Social Justice in Black Education

Abstract

This Q methodology study examined how 37 African American middle school students from two single gender schools perceived their personal gifts/assets. Q methodology was selected for its design purpose of identifying and distinguishing collectively held perspectives and in doing so it has been described as a methodological approach that honors the perspectives of those historically marginalized. These 37 participants sorted 40 statements representing personal assets and strengths. These 37 participant Q sorts were factor analyzed and this analysis generated three emergent factors (accounting for 40% of the variance and 32 of the 37 participants loaded significantly on one of the three factors): Hard-working, talented student moving purposefully toward the future; Truth-speaking leader, appreciative of gifts; and Fashionable and funny friend.

Authors

• Rudy F. Jamison Jr., University of North Florida

• Christopher A. Janson, University of North Florida

• Sophie Maxis, University of North Florida