A second chance: a phenomenological study of African American student perceptions of urban secondary alternative schools

Traci M. Cohen Dennis

doi:10.17918/D8CT03

Many urban school districts in the United States now offer students nontraditional placement options. The alternative school is an option for students who have dropped out of the traditional high school, have academic or behavioral challenges or have been expelled. As African American students in urban school districts are currently overrepresented in alternative schools, the problem this study addressed was the need to better understand the lived experiences of African American students in these settings. The study specifically focused on 18-24-year-old students and examined how their perceptions of the school environment, their educational opportunities and their teachers impacted their achievement, motivation and educational outcomes. To capture diverse perspectives, participants were selected from two alternative schools in a large urban school district in the Northeast region. Data were collected through one on one and focus group interviews, classroom observations and field notes. Through an examination of the lived experiences and perceptions of African American students in these settings, the researcher endeavored to understand whether alternative high schools are meeting African American students' educational needs. The research questions that were examined are: (1) How do African American students in urban secondary alternative schools describe their lived experiences related to success, empowerment and motivation, (2) How do African American students in urban secondary alternative schools perceive the environment/culture and the educational opportunities available to them, and (3) How do African American students in urban secondary alternative schools describe the teachers who push them to excel and succeed? The six emerging themes from this study were: a) maturity and self-advocacy; b) a better opportunity/a positive climate; c) feeling respected and heard; d) it takes a village; e) relevant and rigorous instruction; and f) absence of discontinuity. Study participants reported that caring and supportive relationships with teachers, staff and administrators, a positive school climate and multiple options and resources in alternative schools have helped them to overcome challenges that they face. The participants also noted culturally responsive teaching, school cohesion and cultural congruity as factors which contribute to their motivation and success and keep them on track to graduate despite obstacles that they encounter.

A second chance: a phenomenological study of African American student perceptions of urban secondary alternative schools

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A second chance: a phenomenological study of African American student perceptions of urban secondary alternative schools

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