A Qualitative Study of Relationships Between Middle Grade
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A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MIDDLE GRADE AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES WHO ARE UNDERACHIEVING AND THEIR TEACHERS A DISSERTATION IN Education Presented to the Faculty of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION By LOUIS CEDRIC NEAL Ed.S., University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2003 B.S., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1979 Kansas City, Missouri 2014 © 2014 LOUIS CEDRIC NEAL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MIDDLE GRADE AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES WHO ARE UNDERACHIEVING AND THEIR TEACHERS Louis Cedric Neal, Candidate for the Doctor of Education Degree University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2014 ABSTRACT This study explores the perceptions of underachieving African American male students about their schooling experiences and their relationships with teachers. Using narrative analysis, portraiture, and heuristic inquiry, data were collected to examine whether factors exist that circumvent relationship building between African American male students and their teachers and have some bearing on learning. Data collection included interviews of six African American male students, analysis of documents such as their grades and discipline referrals, and classroom observations of them. These six African American male students were questioned about their schooling experiences, their perceptions of relationships developed with teachers, and how those relationships influenced the way they feel about themselves. Overall, the panelists had positive feelings about school. They realized schooling was an essential element for their success in life. The panelists sought affirmation by their teachers and wanted their teachers to care about them as well as their schoolwork. The ii students enjoyed attending classes where positive relationships existed with teachers. In those classes, the students were recognized and had a sense of purpose. Panelists did not necessarily do all assignments in classes where positive relationships existed, but they felt they were learning. Often, they submitted assignments all at once in order to make up grades. When attending classes where negative relationships prevailed, the students would often sabotage their own learning in order to misbehave and give back the pain they believed they received from the teachers. Panelists determined whether or not they were successful in school based largely on whether they were sent out of class or out of school, not on their learning. The use of learning as a measure was second. This was largely because for schools, in many cases, the adherence to rules outweighed learning. Even though some rules may have been trivial, their disregard was deemed large enough to have panelists removed from the learning environment or inhibit learning in some manner. This research did not offer remedies for the panelists; however, they were able to reflect and identify actions they could perform or not perform that would increase their chances of remaining in class to learn. iii APPROVAL PAGE The faculty listed below, appointed by the Dean of the School of Education, have examined a dissertation titled “A Qualitative Study of Relationships between Middle Grade African American Males Who Are Underachieving and Their Teachers” presented by Louis Cedric Neal, candidate for the Doctor of Education degree, and certify that in their opinion it is worthy of acceptance. Supervisory Committee Loyce Caruthers, Ph.D. Committee Chair, School of Education Donna Davis, Ph.D. School of Education S. Marie McCarther, Ed.D. School of Education Sue Thompson, Ph.D. School of Education iv CONTENTS ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................iii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................viii THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS – MY STORY ........................................................... ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 Problem Statement........................................................................................ 3 Purpose and Research Questions ................................................................ 13 Theoretical Framework............................................................................... 15 Overview of Methodology.......................................................................... 17 Significance of the Study............................................................................ 20 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 22 Social Stratification as an Inhibitor of Student-Teacher Relationships...... 25 Student Compliance as an Inhibitor of Student-Teacher Relationships ..... 50 Existing Images as an Inhibitor of Student-Teacher Relationships............ 73 Identity Development as an Inhibitor of Student-Teacher Relationships... 95 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 121 3. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................... 122 Rationale for Qualitative Research ........................................................... 122 Design of the Study................................................................................... 131 Data Collection ......................................................................................... 138 Data Analysis............................................................................................ 145 v Limitations and Ethical Considerations.................................................... 148 4. THEY LET ME ENTER THEIR WORLD: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ....... 155 Major Emergent Themes........................................................................... 158 The Panel .................................................................................................. 161 Observations in Common Areas ............................................................... 210 Discussion ................................................................................................ 211 5. CONCLUSION......................................................................................................... 218 Implications for Findings.......................................................................... 223 Future Research ........................................................................................ 229 Appendix A. Building Principal Acknowledgement..................................................................... 230 B. Superintendent Authorization Agreement................................................................ 232 C. Observation Protocol................................................................................................ 233 D. Research Participant Instructions............................................................................. 234 E. Participant Parent Release Agreement ..................................................................... 235 F. Participant Release Agreement................................................................................. 238 REFERENCE LIST ............................................................................................................. 241 VITA.................................................................................................................................... 256 vi ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 1. Annual State Assessment Results for the 2010-2011 School Year Middle School 1........................................................................................................... 6 2. Annual State Assessment Results for the 2010-2011 School Year Middle School 2........................................................................................................... 6 3. Annual State Assessment Results for the 2010-2011 School Year Middle School 3........................................................................................................... 7 4. National Middle School Suspension Rates in 2006 by Race and Gender ................. 62 5. Defiance Referred Students: White vs. African American........................................ 65 6. Number of students receiving in-school suspensions in 2010-2011.......................... 67 7. Number of students receiving out-of-school suspensions in 2010-2011................... 67 8. Erickson’s Chart of Epigenetic Human Development............................................... 99 9. 2010 Census Data, City of Tradnal School District................................................. 132 10. 2010 Tradnal School District Student Population ................................................... 132 11. Panel Members 2012-2013 Attendance Rates ......................................................... 214 vii TABLES Table Page 1. Number of Middle Schools by District Showing 33% or More of Subgroup Suspended, OCR 2006 Survey................................................................................... 63 2. Number of Middle Schools by District Showing 50% or More of Subgroup Suspended, OCR 2006 Survey..................................................................................