African-American Culture in the Classroom

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on how African-American culture may affect a student's education as a result of obstacles he or she has faced. Some of these obstacles include the impact of coming from a single-parent family or learning in an educationally poor secondary school. The writer believes that African-American culture has been accepted into today's educational environment, although some adjustments still need to be made.

From the Paper:

"One of the main differences noted between African American students and traditional white students is the socioeconomic status of current students. This ranges from those whose families are able to finance their education fully, to adults whose incomes must also cover family expenses, to low-income students who require financial assistance (Terenzini, et. al., 1991). Students from lower economic and societal classes during their youth have led many of today's college students to value vocational training over learning for learning's sake (Josephson, 2000). Additionally, members of historically under-represented racial and ethnic groups, such as African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American now constitute approximately a fourth of the current number of undergraduates (Josephson, 2000). This dramatic diversity in the student body requires the expansion of perspectives taught in higher education. It also requires educational communities to be open to different implications regarding levels of preparation, learning styles, and available time for study (Palmer, 1997). Educational communities now need to take into consideration family and occupational responsibilities, as discussed below."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Angelo, T. A., & Cross, K. P. (1993). Classroom assessment techniques: A handbook for college teachers (2nd edition). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
• Farris, P. (1996). Teaching, Bearing the Torch. Madison, WI: Brown and Benchmark Publishers.
• Josephson, M. (1998). 1998 Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth. Retrieved July 29, 2006, from The Josephson Institute of Ethics Web site: http://www.josephsoninstitute.org/98-Survey/98survey.htm
• Josephson, M. (2000). The Ethics of American Youth. Retrieved July 29, 2006, from the Josephson Institute of Ethics Web site: http://www.josephsoninstitute.org/Survey2000/survey2000-pressrelease.htm
• Kidder, R. (2004). There's Only Ethics... Retrieved July 29, 2006, from The Institute for Global Ethics - Keynote Speeches Web site: http://www.globalethics.org/corp/keynotes.html

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