Educational underachievement amongst African-Caribbean young boys; Implications for social work practice

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my appreciation to my professors and teachers who have helped me during the course of the thesis. I also want to thank my family and friends who have supported me immensely in making my dissertation. I would like to thank everyone for being a huge source of continuous guidance.DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare with complete confidence that the entire content which has been utilized in the following thesis has been my individual effort. Moreover the content which has been utilized in the dissertation has never been published before. I would also like to express that all the opinions are based on my individual thinking and it is not based on university opinions.

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Dated: DEDICATION PAGE

I would like to express my appreciation and dedication to parents and family members. My parents have helped me through my work in all difficult times. My parents and friends have the attitude and the substance of genius, which is not found in many people. My parents convincingly conveyed and expressed a spirit of adventure in relation to research study and scholarship. Moreover my mother has also helped me in studying with ease and hard work. Without her guidance and continual support, the following research study would have never been possible.

I would like to be grateful to my friends, who have always taught me the significance of hard work and higher education in my life. I would like to be thankful, as they has always encouraged me to conduct the study in the most precise and authentic manner. I have been able to conduct and make the following thesis, as my parents and friends always motivated me and encouraged me to reach to your dreams.ABSTRACT

In the following proposed study, we will analyze and examine the various factors which can lead to educational underachievement of African males. The primary objective and focus of the study is to analyze the primary concept of underachievement and achievement gap which is prevailing in the society. The research study will also analyze the various theories which have been implemented in the relevant field. The research study adopts the quantitative and qualitative methodologies for the purpose of data collection and its analysis. In the end the research study also provides adequate recommendations and suggestions for future research and also provides implications for the study.

Table of contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

DEDICATION PAGEiv

ABSTRACTv

Table of contentsvi

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

1.1Outline of the study1

1.2Background of the study1

1.3Significance of the study3

1.4Research aims and objectives4

1.5Research questions4

1.6Limitation of the study5

1.7Time scale5

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW7

2.1Background7

2.2Discovering the Problem of 'Black Underachievement'9

2.3The Dropout Crisis10

2.4The Higher Education Gap11

2.5Educational outcomes and achievements12

2.6Achievement gap12

2.7Educational outcome of black students14

2.8Factors behind black males educational underachievement14

2.8.1Poverty15

2.8.2Homelessness and single-parent homes16

2.8.3Adolescent parenthood17

2.8.4Child abuse17

2.8.5Family and school pressures18

2.8.6Teachers' perceptions and expectations19

CHAPTER 03: METHODOLOGY21

3.1Overview of qualitative and quantitative study21

3.2Overview of mixed method approach23

3.3Research design24

3.4Research strategy25

3.5Sampling25

3.5.1Simple random sampling26

3.6Data analysis26

3.6.1Qualitative data analysis27

3.6.2Quantitative data analysis27

3.7Literature analysis28

3.8Research philosophy28

3.9Informed consent29

3.10Confidentiality29

3.11Validity30

3.12Reliability31

3.13Ethical considerations32

CHAPTER 04: DISCUSSION33

4.1Questionnaire analysis34

Question 134

1.Are you aware of the term underachievement and ...