Teaching Black Students

What is Educational Inequality?

Educational inequality is the unequal distribution of academic resources, including school funding, qualified and experienced teachers, books, and technologies. As late as the 1960s African-American students were educated separately from whites. The majority of these schools that the African-American students attended lacked the resources they needed to properly get their education. Once Brown v. The board of education desegregated schools; it was believed that African - American students would be given better learning opportunities (Miller and Howard, 2004). Unfortunately for many african-american students educational experiences have continued to remain separate and unequal (Darling-Hammond, 2016). Many African - American students still attend predominantly African - American schools. These schools are usually lower-income schools and are funded way below the need of the school which means fewer resources for the students and the teachers. As a result, these schools do not have access to the high-quality curriculum or high-level subjects to prepare these African- American students for college.

  What are the effects of Brown v. Board of Education?

Brown v. Board of Education was a major turning point for minority students. It allowed African - American students to desegregate and attend white schools with the chance at equal educational opportunities. Although this was a major turning point for minority students, the results of Brown have their strengths and weaknesses. Some positive effects of Brown v. Board of education would be that it allows students to be involved in interracial contact, erodes avoidance learning, African- American students gain access to formally all-white networks, teaches interracial interaction skills, and avoids the discriminatory stigma of black institutions (Pettigrew, 2004). These positive effects do show that African-American students are receiving some types of equal opportunities. Some negative effect of Brown v. Board of Education is that although legally schools are desegregated African-American students still remain separate and unequal (Darling-Hammond, 2016). Many people who were against desegregating schools found ways to continue to keep students separated by separating schools by the district. In many big cities like Boston, many poor African - Americans are at least three times more likely than poor whites to live in severely distressed urban neighborhoods. Whereas poor, working-class, and middle-income whites often live together in suburban communities (Guinier, 2004). This would result in African - American students still going to predominantly black schools ultimately keeping them separate. Since these African - American schools are in lower-income communities they also tend to receive the least amount of funding and don’t receive the same resources as the other schools. 

What are strategies for teaching black students?

Over the years, black students have continued to face a number of adversities in education. Whether it be from going to low-income schools with no resources, being targeted in school more than their white counterparts, or having to deal with dangerous situations within the black community black students have many disadvantages. When teaching black students it all starts with the teacher making a difference in these young black students' lives and not just academically. As future educators, it is important that they are driven by a firm belief in their ability to make a difference in their students' learning no matter their racial or cultural background (McKinley, 2010). With this mindset, teachers can help lead their black students to set and maintain high and clear expectations. This mindset also allows students to feel motivated and encouraged. A teacher's mindset can really impact a student's outlook and performance in class. Another strategy would be to provide students with equitable access to learning opportunities regardless of academic gaps or needs (McKinley, 2010).  Many predominantly black schools are also low-income schools that face educational inequality. They are not given the same programs, tutoring, laboratories, or textbooks that predominantly white schools receive. Black students do not have these same opportunities in reach which aids the academic gaps. Black students continue to lag behind their white counterparts upon entering school and the gap continues to widen (Ricks, 2014). Providing these resources to black students can ultimately help close the academic gap. Another strategy would be to promote student self-efficacy, individual ability to achieve, and positive self-regard and regularly remind students that learning will be challenging and rigorous(McKinley, 2010). Building a student up, especially black students who face many adversities day to day can help motivate them in moving in the right direction and trying just a little harder academically. There are many other strategies that can help future educators better understand and help black students be successful.

Summary

Black students face many adversities in school or just during their day-to-day. Many black students are made to believe that the system is not built for them to “win” so as educators it is important to find ways to connect with black students and better understand them so they may be given the same opportunities as their white counterparts. Although the history of black students did not start out well with no resources or funding for their school's post - desegregation Brown v. Board of Education was set into place to attempt to desegregate schools and give black students the same opportunities as white students. Brown v. Board of education has its cons but it is also a turning point for black students and learning opportunities. it allows students to be involved in interracial contact, erodes avoidance learning, African- American students gain access to formally all-white networks, teaches interracial interaction skills, and avoid the discriminatory stigma of black institutions (Pettigrew, 2004). 

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