Hakim Rashid

Associate Professor
Human Development
Howard University


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Addressing Disproportionate Representation: African American Males' perceptions of the Schooling Process

The disproportionate numbers of African American males referred for special education services continues to be a significant national problem. This study will examine the school-related attitudes and perceptions of school of a small group of elementary school aged African American boys (n=12) who have been diagnosed as emotionally disturbed. These boys, who have been referred to a special school in a large urban school district, have spent their first four to five years of school in regular education classrooms. Both in-depth interviews and focus groups will be used to explore issues related to 1) perceptions of early schooling and early relationships with teachers, 2) attitudes toward curricula and the school routine, 3) the influence of peer relations on school experiences, 4) perceptions of their parents' interactions with schools, and 5) perceptions of ways to improve the educational process. It is hoped that the insights gleaned from the findings of this study will make a significant contribution to the literature on the educational experiences of African American boys.