16 Sep African American boys need the Guidance and Mentorship of Black Male Teachers
African American male students benefit greatly from the guidance and mentorship of black male teachers. But black men account for only 2 % of all teachers in American public schools, according to the United States Department of Education. This creates an incredible challenge in black males getting the opportunity to connect, relate and reach their full potentials. Why has this happened, and how does it affect black male students in their K-12 academic journeys?
Studies show that the effect of having a black male teacher, especially between grades 3 and 5, decreases the dropout rate among black male students by 30% and increases the likelihood of black students aspiring to higher education. We need more black male teachers in public schools. A positive snowball effect of representation in classrooms will also increase the number of black boys who aspire to become teachers, aiding generations to come.
If we care about the fate and future of our young black boys, it is imperative that black male teachers are sought after, hired and provided the proper professional development to excel in their incomparably important positions: teaching, inspiring and guiding the youth.
Black primary-school students matched to a same-race teacher perform better on standardized tests and face more favorable teacher perceptions, yet little is known about the long-run, sustained impacts of student-teacher demographic match. We show that assigning a black male to a black teacher in the third, fourth, or fifth grades significantly reduces the probability that he drops out of high school, particularly among the most economically disadvantaged black males. Exposure to at least one black teacher in grades 3-5 also increases the likelihood that persistently low-income students of both sexes aspire to attend a four-year college.
Quality teachers of any race and background are appreciated and valued. But for black male students, the positive and extensive impact of teachers who look like them should not be underestimated or dismissed.
MEI – “Empowering the men of today and tomorrow!”
