The PEARLS Project: Developing Effective Racial Literacy Materials With Elementary School Teachers and Students

• In Event: 14.046 - Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: 14.046-3 - Division K Section 4 Poster Session 1

Abstract

The Preparing Educators to Address Racial Literacy and Stress (PEARLS) Project provides an opportunity for elementary school students and teachers to critically and healthily explore racial topics using a developmentally appropriate literary magazine that builds racial literacy and relieves racial stress (Stevenson 2014). This paper presents findings from teacher and student interviews, focus groups, and observations and fieldnotes in an urban charter school where the magazine was piloted. Findings include: 1) discrepancies between teachers' perceptions of students' racial experiences and students' actual experiences 2) the importance of collaboration between researchers and practitioners when developing effective and accessible intervention materials, and 3) the need for racial literacy training for educators who struggle to build healthy relationships with students of color.

Author

• Kelsey Marie Jones, University of Pennsylvania