African American Achievement

Schools that have closed the achievement gap give students a "counter-narrative" to combat societal messages that undermine the achievement of African Americans, noted Theresa Perry of Wheelock College in Boston, Mass., in her presentation, Promoting High Achievement Among African American Students.

Some Department of Defense schools, some Catholic schools, and some small public schools have created conditions that ensure high achievement for all students, said Perry, author of the book Young, Gifted, and Black. According to Perry, these schools affirm the humanity and intelligence of black students, upholding the value of commitment, thoroughness, and hard work.

All students at these schools participate as full members, Perry explained, "and membership means being an achiever." Equally important, students practice the behaviors—such as persistence—that give them the capacity to achieve.

Rather than assuming that students should come to school as motivated learners, the educators in these schools create an environment where "participation will create a motivated kid," Perry said. These teachers also recognize that students can be both intellectually smart and skill deficient, so they organize instruction around striving for excellence, not remediation. As a result, they are able to "reframe how black kids see themselves."

• Hear Baruti Kafele discuss "Success Strategies for Teachers of African American Children."

• ASCD's African American Critical Issues Network sponsored a session titled "Using Creative Enriched Instruction to Advance African American Students’ Achievement."

• The African American Critical Issues Network works to enhance the academic achievement of African American children and youth.

• Read sample chapters from Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices. This book and the companion video, Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices Books-in-Action Video, are available in the ASCD Online Store.

• Stedman Graham stated that success is not determined by the color of skin or financial background, but requires you to "step out of your comfort zone."