Black students' perceptions of academic achievement as compared to students in other ethnic groups

This study explores whether Black adolescents purposely choose to limit their academic achievement more than students in other ethnic groups do. This study examines four hypotheses that address the following issues: (1) the amount of support Black students perceive they receive for academic achievement; (2) the educational impact of peer influence on Black adolescents; (3) whether Black adolescents avoid difficult courses out of fear that failure will reflect poorly on their group; and (4) whether Black students worry more about their personal image than about academic achievement. One hundred sixty-six high school students participated in the study by completing an 18-item questionnaire developed by the researcher. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The benefit of this research is that it will provide a better understanding of the relationship between and among the peer group norms of different ethnic groups and academic underachievement.