Mathematics Confidence in an Urban High School: Black Students' Perception of Mathematics Education

• In Event: Poster Session 16
  In Poster Session: Research in Mathematics Education SIG Poster Session

Abstract

There is no shortage of studies on black students’ poor performance in mathematics. Scholars have argued that the plenitude of data on the failure of black students in mathematics has legitimated beliefs of a racial hierarchy of mathematics ability in America. This perception has shaped attitudes and behaviors of scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and students. This study examined the mathematics confidence of seniors enrolled in honor’s pre-calculus at an under resourced urban comprehensive high school. Data collected and analyzed showed that participants, in spite of a history of mostly success in math and despite being socialized to view the classroom as opportunity to challenge disparaging views of African Americans, refused to claim membership to the community of math people.

Author

• Thierry Saintine, Stockton University