Living at Crossroads: An Ethnographic Study of Intersectional Experiences of Black Males in Alternative Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Examinations of Race and Ethnicity in Education

Abstract

Alternative high schools and programs tend to serve a disproportionate number of male students, students of color, at risk students, and economically disadvantaged students (McNulty & Roseboro, 2009; Watson, 2011). A significant number of Black male students will pursue the GED credential in these programs. This ethnographic study focuses on Black male students who have dropped out of traditional high school prior to attending a GED program in a Northeastern city. As Black males are more likely to attend alternative schools, prioritizing race, gender, and class are essential in this study. Findings indicated that students had varying perspectives on race class and gender, illustrating the need to avoid a monolithic group approach to the study of Black males in education.

Author

• Julia Camille Ransom, Temple University