Educational Leadership

“These students are often subject to disproportionate and sometimes unfounded grade retentions and suspensions because teachers and administrators misinterpret these behaviors and find them offensive.” (Alfred W. Tatum). This is one of the main factors that I feel is adding to African American males poor performance in school. Like any kid, when they have identity issues or maybe issues at home they tend to act out in school. When these kids act out due to “self-concept and identity issues” (Alfred W. Tatum) they aren’t treated in the schools like they should be. They are just suspended or labeled as a trouble child. It is not picked up on that some kids struggle with identity and that could be a cause of them not acting appropriate in the classroom. “Yet the most vulnerable African American adolescent males remain in public schools in which literacy instruction is not responsive to their needs.” (Alfred W. Tatum). The suggested plans to help these kids included moving schools to meet their needs, or giving them more relatable work, something that they can learn about and connect back to real world experiences. Different kids need different needs met, and although it may be easier to just have kids switch schools based on their needs, not everyone has that option. Schools need to learn how to accommodate their students so that they can perform to the best of their ability.