Previous research indicated disproportionality in the number of Black boys described by their teachers as exhibiting behavioral problems when compared to other races or genders. Many of these comparison studies lacked specifics on teacher variables, behavioral data between instruments, or perceived differences across students' genders. The current…

Although information related to mathematics achievement and participation are accessible, there is limited data associated with the simultaneous intersections of race and gender as it pertains to mathematics achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which differences were present in overall mathematics achievement by…

Education is associated with improved health outcomes. However, fewer non-Hispanic Black Americans earn high school diplomas, baccalaureate, or advanced degrees than White Americans, placing them at higher risk for poor health outcomes. Racial disparities in education have been linked to social injustice and structural racism. Through the…

This quantitative correlational study aimed to investigate how the implementation of exclusionary disciplinary measures impacts the academic performance of African American students in urban school districts of Louisiana, and to explore gender differentials in the application of exclusionary discipline practices. Linear regression results indicate…

Financial behavior disparities across race and gender persist in the United States. Historical and structural factors contribute to such disparities. It is important to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying these disparities to begin to achieve wealth equity. This study addressed one potentially relevant psychological construct:…

Purpose: The purpose of this journal-ready dissertation was to determine the extent to which African American boys and girls might differ in their performance on the Texas state-mandated Algebra I End-of-Course exam. Specifically, the degree to which differences might exist between African American boys and girls on the Approaches Grade Level,…

This study was designed to examine the relationship between colorism and self-esteem and relationship satisfaction among college students. Additionally, the impact of other social-economic factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, and income level were evaluated. Data were collected via a questionnaire developed in google forms from 202…

The purpose of this quantitative ex post facto study is to determine if and to what extent is there a statistically significant difference in math aptitude, as measured by SAT-Math scores, between African American male and female public high school students enrolled in a STEM program versus those enrolled in a non-STEM program in a high school of…

The Black student population underperforms all other demographic groups in high school science achievement. The purpose of this quantitative correlational research was to examine various factors influencing the science proficiency of Black students in selected Florida high schools. Florida's PK--20 Education Information Portal provided the…

Previous research has demonstrated initiation of alcohol during adolescence has a negative effect on both school attendance and missed instruction due to behavior. Utilizing longitudinal data comprised of primarily Black American youth between ages 11 and 18 (N = 931), both the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol initiation were analyzed…

The recent increase in mental health concerns and service utilization for students has been characterized as the "mental health crisis in higher education." At the same time, there are social inequities on who "gets" to be well and under what conditions. This three-paper dissertation analyzes the well-being support networks of…

Young Black and Latino men face profound academic obstacles in transitioning to college. Few studies have interrogated college readiness practices in urban schools through the lens of masculinity. Drawing on a yearlong ethnography, this study investigated how young men respond to college-readiness practices while enacting masculinity. Many young…

Research examining reading abilities among Black children diverges significantly from prior literature, which either lacked focus or lacked substantial representation of Black children. Black students, particularly boys, tend to exhibit lower academic achievement compared to their peers. The problem addressed in this study is that Black boys, in…

For decades, research has explored racial disparities in exclusionary school discipline, illuminating the stark disproportionality concerning Black students. Black boys are most susceptible to harsher discipline, increasing their risk for future involvement in the juvenile justice system, a bridge to the school-to-prison pipeline. Recent…

The purpose of this phenomenological inquiry is to understand the experiences of formerly incarcerated Black male students who attend a Northeast urban community college and the unique barriers they encounter while navigating the institution. The United States imprisons more people than any country in the world, and Black men are…