Title
Teacher-Student Relationships and How They Encourage Mathematics Achievement Among Black Males
Date of Award
Summer 6-15-2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Mark E. Jimenez, Ed.D.
Second Advisor
Rebecca Watts, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Anthony Valley, Ed.D.
Abstract
This research study focuses on positive teacher-student relationships and how these relationships influence the mathematics achievement of African American elementary male students. It identifies some of the characteristics relevant to the establishment and cultivation of the teacher-student relationship and sheds useful insights into how African American male students respond to the interactions with their teachers. Extant literature has increasingly shown that positive-teacher student relationships significantly shape academic progress in Black students. Through teacher surveys and teacher interviews, this dissertation offers a synopsis of how teachers facilitate relationships with their African American male students as well as gives a detailed account of how teacher perceptions influence the relationship. It also examines whether or how the relationship encourages mathematics achievement among African American male students. Finally and through interviews with African American male students, the doctoral research describes how Black students build relationships with their teachers and how these relationships influence their academic experience. In its final analysis, the dissertation underscores the importance of paying more attention to the teacher-student relationship amongst Black students and how different facets of the relationship shape their academic achievement in mathematics. These insights are critical in formulating relevant interventional pedagogical practices for African American students in the context of mathematics learning.