| This study focused on African American high school students' perceptions of effective teaching practices and sought to determine if these students hold knowledge that might help K-12 educators close the achievement gap by examining (a) the perceptions of African American students regarding the characteristics of teachers who help them learn the most, (b) the teaching strategies that play a role in supporting African American student achievement, and (c) teacher interactions that inspire African American students to be successful in school.;African American high school students responded to interview questions that measured their perceptions of effective teaching, namely teachers' personal characteristics, teaching strategies, and teacher interactions. African American high school students also completed demographic surveys to provide data regarding their age, gender, class enrollment, and college aspirations.;The data indicated that African American students' perceptions corroborate the literature on multicultural effective teaching by (a) addressing diverse ethnic groups and their various contributions to society within their curriculum, (b) validating students' language and communication while introducing them to standard English, (c) providing group work, and (d) demonstrating respect. The data identified the importance that African American students place on one-on-one time with teachers.;The results of this study can be used to inform pre-service and professional development teacher training programs about African American students' perceptions of effective teaching. Teachers may consider adjustments that can be made regarding instruction and relationship building. In general, educators can gain insightful information that may assist them in closing the achievement gap. Although, African American students in this study valued role models that look like them, they sometimes mentioned the various ethnicities or gender of the teachers they perceived to be their most effective teachers, but these factors did not seem to influence effectiveness as long as the teacher had the ability to form caring and respectful relationships. |
