Abstract
Statement of the Problem
This research examines the issue of why in Sacramento County, African American female teachers in any area of education do not reflect the African American student population served. The lack of African American educators teaching single subjects such as mathematics and science where African American students, namely girls, are failing behind is disconcerting. This study will focus upon answering: Why is there an underrepresentation of African American women teachers in education, particularly in mathematics and science subject areas? What do African American educators think about this shortage, if anything? Do these educators think the presence of African American women educators to serve as role models in the classroom is relevant? Does having African American women educators increase tolerance towards racial differences, gender differences, and help facilitate diverse perspectives for all students? Overall, this study aimed to provide perinent information from the perspective of qualified African American female educators and acknowledge their views, opinions, and observations on these issues.
Sources of Data
Two sources of data were analyzed for this study: a Five Point Likert survey and an open ended questionnaire. The Five Point Likert survey was designed to measure participants' personal experiences in education. The open-ended questionnaire focused on the views, opinions, and observations of the participants who were qualified African American female educators. The methodology for this study was both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis was conducted by inputting data retrieved from surveys to find any correlations in the surveys received. From the qualitative responses reviewed, a qualitative analysis was conducted looking for themes by sorting and categorizing the data to reach a final description, an interpretation based on the responses from the surveys and interviews.
Conclusions Researched
It is a clear that Sacramento County and the state of California have a major shortage of qualified African American teachers. It is also evident that the minority student population being served does not reflect the minority teacher population teaching students. There needs to be an aggressive movement to recruit and retain African American female teachers and other minority women educators. This presence may better facilitate a movement to make sure all children feel a strong sense of connection to their classrooms by having role models and staff that reflect their ethnicity. At present this is not the case, and it should be no wonder why minority students do not feel a strong sense of connection in their school environments. School institutions need a willingness and comprehensive plan to incorporate staff and curriculum that is reflective of the minority student's cultural identity to further enhance the excitement of learning in an inclusive environment.