“That’s the Point of Going”: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Experiences of Black Males at an Early College High School

Abstract

Early college high schools are small schools designed to increase college and career readiness for groups underrepresented in higher education. While some research has focused on student experiences in the early college environment, few have specifically examined the perceptions of Black male students. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of Black males in an early college high school. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected using focus groups and individual interviews. Emergent themes included students’ descriptions of their learning environment and the benefits and challenges they experienced. The results of this study provide further insight into early college high schools and how they serve their targeted population.

Black males and school counselors: Do they experience the culture in counseling programs and departments differently from Black females?

“…If counselor expectations are negative, deficit based, and anti‐Black, then their interactions with Black male students may be harmful, as their expectations will hinder a trusting student–counselor relationship. Counselors’ perceptions are important to whether Black male students seek out school counselors’ help or benefit when they do meet for counseling (Adams et al., 2020; Brooms, 2021; Bryan & Gallant, 2012). This study indicates that negative counselor expectations may account for why Black male students are less likely to trust counselors (Brooms, 2021; Bryan & Gallant, 2012).…”

“…The factors that were salient to counselors’ characteristics and quality relationship included high expectations, trust, relational caring, and dedications. More specifically, relationships with school counselors were important for Black male students, when there is relational trust and they feel as if the school counselor is investing in them and have high expectations for them (Adams et al., 2020; Brooms, 2021; Bryan & Gallant, 2012). Relatedly, a qualitative study of 215 Black male high school students about their perceptions on school counselors and school counseling services revealed that Black males recognize the importance of school counselors, but 38%−53% perceived school counselors as unfriendly, inaccessible, and untrustworthy (Bryan & Gallant, 2012).…”

Hiding in Plain Sight: A QuantCrit, Intersectional Analysis of Dual Enrollment

“…In a longitudinal interview study of DE students, Karp (2012) found that throughout a semester of DE courses students gained a deeper understanding of the variety of expectations placed on college students. Students frequently describe this experience as a key benefit from DE and gain practical skills like organization and ideas about the importance of being engaged in classes (Adams et al, 2020;J. M. Johnson et al, 2021;Kanny, 2015;Lile et al, 2018;Vásquez-Colina et al, 2022).…”

“…This policy decision then directly impacts equitable opportunities for students as states with greater financial incentives for DE participation have smaller racial enrollment gaps (Xu et al, 2021). The funding structure of DE is also important as the financial savings of DE are often among the key reasons why students participate when states or districts pay for DE (Adams et al, 2020;Hornbeck et al, 2023; T. E. Johnson & Brophy, 2006;Starkey, 2020). Yet, costs to institutions are one of the top barriers for DE for both colleges and K-12 schools (Belfield et al, 2023;Kilgore & Wagner, 2017) and can create tension between these institutions (Hornbeck et al, 2023;Howley et al, 2013).…”

“…DE may foster opportunities to engage in counter spaces for racialized students (L. A. Locke & Grooms, 2022), but Black men have described that their participation in early college programs limits connections in their neighborhood schools (Adams et al, 2020). Since HSLS:09 data collection, the number of reported hate crimes has increased and nearly half of victims of hate crimes motivated by race/ethnicity were Black/African American between 2015 and 2019 (E. Smith, 2021).…”