Don Coleman

Date Approved

10-17-2012

Embargo Period

3-3-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ed.D. Educational Leadership

Department

Educational Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Damminger, Joanne

Subject(s)

Universities and colleges--Entrance examinations; African-American students

Disciplines

Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration

Abstract

There is limited research into the persistence, participation, and efforts of African American students in their preparation for college admission exams (SAT, ACT). Registration, attendance, and the experienced reality of African American students who voluntarily enrolled in an SAT prep program as well as perceptions of African American instructors were the foci of this mixed methods action research. This study examined the development of a Saturday SAT preparation program over an 18 month period. Theoretical frameworks of Stereotype Threat (STT) (Steele, 1992; Steele & Aronson, 1995) and schooling effects (Diamond, 2007; Kao & Thompson, 2003; Ladson-Billings 1995, 1997; Starratt, 2003; Tate, 2004) were the guiding interpretive frameworks (Creswell, 2007) of this investigation. Findings suggest that opportunity to learn (OTL), and STT themes of test anxiety and fear of low achievement influenced some study participants' decisions to register, attend, and experience a SAT preparation program. Moreover, this study documented a lack of overall student commitment to persist in the SAT program - a phenomenon that warrants additional research. Additionally, my development as a leader was assessed throughout this project. Through this study, I gained a better understanding of what leadership entails and how to improve my educational practices. I grew in my capacity as a teacher leader and realized that aspects of transactional leadership are embedded in my leadership.

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