Promoting Gap-Closing Outcomes for Diverse Learners Through Asset-Based Teaching

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In today’s educational climate, the achievement gap between minorities and their White counterparts is a continuing concern. Moreover, American students are performing at a level in the 50th percentile when compared to other developed countries. To provide solutions to these issues, the field needs research focusing on innovative strategies that garner success for all students while increasing achievement more so for minorities. This symposium will include presentations of current experimental research examining factors for their potential impact on student engagement and achievement. It is hoped that the results from these investigations will shed light on performance and other academic outcomes through culturally relevant material and learning contexts along with more applied community-based interventions. Future research directions will be discussed.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Talent Development of Students Placed at Risk

Chair

• Ladan Rahnema, Capstone Institute at Howard University

Papers

• The Effects of Learning Context and Racial Composition of Study Groups on Academic Outcomes - Richard D. Dixon, Capstone Institute at Howard University

• Enhancing Class Content and Structure at a Historically Black College/University Using Culturally Relevant Material and Constructive Controversy - Chastity McFarlan, Capstone Institute at Howard University

• It Takes a Village: Can Faith-Based Organizations Help in Closing the Achievement Gap of Black and Brown Males? - Monica L. Dillihunt, The University of Alabama - Huntsville; Claudia Mesnil-Baez, University of Alabama in Huntsville

• Communalism as Group Orientation in Latin America - Eric Hurley, Pomona College; Cristina Salvador, Pomona College

Discussant

• Rich Milner, University of Pittsburgh