What about the girls? Exploring the academic, emotional and social mindset of Black girls in fifth grade

This study examines the academic, social, and emotional mindsets of ten fifth grade Black girls, who attend an urban public elementary school in Northern California. The academic achievement levels of Black girls in urban schools have languished behind their White and Asian peers for decades, and the experiences of the girls of this study lend some insight into that phenomenon, through their perceptions. Along with the reality of widespread academic deficiency in urban schools, Black girls are being suspended and expelled in higher numbers than their White and Asian peers. Black girls in all grade levels are the largest growing population of incarcerated students. Additionally, Black girls are being identified as special education candidates in high frequency. Though state and federal agencies are now recognizing the need to address the issue of Black girls in education, this study gives a platform to these ten girls’ voices and opinions, offering revelation about these Black school’s girl’s educational perspective, observations, and awareness, up to this point in their school careers. The mindsets of Black girls are explored through a qualitative interview process. Finally, this study offers suggestions to ameliorate the Black girls’ experience in school, in order to attend to their academic, social and emotional mindsets.