An Exploration of the Factors That Motivate
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AN EXPLORATION OF THE FACTORS THAT MOTIVATE GIFTED AND TALENTED BLACK MALES TO ENGAGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS IN A GIFTED, RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY A Doctoral Dissertation Research Submitted to the Faculty of Argosy University, Online College of Education In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education by Adrienne L. Coleman May, 2014 ii AN EXPLORATION OF THE FACTORS THAT MOTIVATE GIFTED AND TALENTED BLACK MALES TO ENGAGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS IN A GIFTED, RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY Copyright @ 2014 Adrienne L. Coleman All rights reserved iii AN EXPLORATION OF THE FACTORS THAT MOTIVATE GIFTED AND TALENTED BLACK MALES TO ENGAGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS IN A GIFTED, RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY Doctoral Dissertation Research Submitted to the Faculty of Argosy University Online in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education by Adrienne L. Coleman Argosy University May, 2014 Dissertation Committee Approval: Nancy Hoover, Ed.D., Chair Date Linda James, Ed.D., Member James Mitchell, Ph.D., Assistant Dean iv AN EXPLORATION OF THE FACTORS THAT MOTIVATE GIFTED AND TALENTED BLACK MALES TO ENGAGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS IN A GIFTED, RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY Abstract of Doctoral Dissertation Research Submitted to the Faculty of Argosy University, Online College of Education In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education by Adrienne L. Coleman Argosy University May, 2014 Nancy Hoover, Ed.D. Linda James , Ed.D. Department: College of Education v ABSTRACT This study was an exploration of the factors that motivated gifted and talented Black males to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The specific problem addressed was the lack of motivation among Black males to become gifted and talented learners engaged in STEM. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the factors that motivate gifted and talented Black males to engage in STEM at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), a residential academy for gifted/talented students. Qualitative methodology was used to interview focus groups of 20 gifted and talented Black males who currently attended IMSA as well as interviews with 25 gifted and talented Black male IMSA alumni, 21 parents of IMSA Black male students/alumni, and 27 IMSA faculty/staff. Utilizing triangulation analysis, patterns and trends of factors emerged that motivate gifted and talented Black males from the perspectives of the students themselves, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, along with literature on motivation. The trends that developed as a result of this triangulated analysis were IMSA, obligation to Black community, success, learning, being good at STEM, STEM passion, competition, STEM exposure, and self-motivation. The factors that motivate gifted and talented Black males that were new and contributed to the literature on Black male STEM motivation were the ability to solve problems, to advance humanity, being challenged, and be actively involved in leadership. Future studies should specifically question why a Black male STEM gap exists and how to engage more Black males in STEM. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TABLE OF TABLES ........................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM ....................................................................................1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................................1 Problem Background ...........................................................................................................3 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................7 Research Question ...............................................................................................................7 Limitations and Delimitations ..............................................................................................8 Definitions............................................................................................................................8 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................11 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................13 Perspectives of the Black Male ..........................................................................................14 Positive Portrayals of Black Males ........................................................................15 Negative Portrayals of the Black Male ..................................................................16 The Black Males’ Education ..............................................................................................18 A Historical and Legal Perspective of Education and the Black Male ..............................20 The Black Male Academic Achievement Gap ...................................................................22 The Black Male Gifted and Talented Education Gap ........................................................25 The Black Male STEM Education Gap .............................................................................28 History of Black Males Engaged in STEM .......................................................................32 The Black Males’ Motivation to Achieve Academically ..................................................36 Minimizing the Black Male Academic Achievement and STEM Education Gaps ...........39 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................44 Introduction ........................................................................................................................44 Research Question .............................................................................................................44 Research Design.................................................................................................................44 Access and Permission .......................................................................................................45 Participants .........................................................................................................................46 Data Collection Instrument ................................................................................................46 Data Processing and Analysis ............................................................................................47 Limitations .........................................................................................................................49 Delimitations ......................................................................................................................49 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS .........................................................................................50 Introduction ........................................................................................................................50 Demographics ....................................................................................................................50 Gifted and Talented Black Males’ STEM Motivation: IMSA Black Male Student Perspective ............................................................................51 Background ............................................................................................................51 vii Why STEM ............................................................................................................52 Motivation to Engage in STEM .............................................................................54 Intrinsic Motivation to Engage in STEM...............................................................56 Extrinsic Motivation to Engage in STEM .............................................................59 IMSA’s Contribution to STEM Motivation ...........................................................62 The STEM Gap ......................................................................................................65 STEM Motivation ..................................................................................................70 Gifted and Talented Black Males’ STEM Motivation .......................................................73 IMSA Black Male Alumni Perspective .............................................................................73 Background ............................................................................................................73 Why STEM ............................................................................................................75 Motivation ..............................................................................................................78 Intrinsic Motivation ...............................................................................................82 Extrinsic Motivation ..............................................................................................86 IMSA’s Contribution to STEM Motivation ...........................................................91 The STEM Gap ......................................................................................................97