A Look at Race, Skin Tone, and Secondary School Students' Perceptions of Teacher-Student Relationships

• In Event: It's a Marathon, Not a Race: Teacher Development and Their Student Perceptions of Them

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between race, skin tone, and teacher—student relationship (TSR) quality. Data drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study included 995 ethnically and racially diverse adolescents. Results revealed that being Black, Hispanic, and Multi-racial was significantly associated with TSRs. However, there were no between group differences in TSRs across racial categories. Skin tone was not a significant predictor of TSRs and did not moderate the relationship between race and TSRs. Findings raise important implications for teacher trainings and professional development focused on anti-racist practices that support optimal student interactions and provides promising evidence for school connectedness as an intervening mechanism in improving TSR quality, particularly for students of color.

Authors

• Kala Burrell-Craft, Old Dominion University

• Danielle R. Eugene, University of Texas at Arlington

• Juterh Nmah, California State University, Bakersfield