Date of Award

5-11-2025

Date Published

June 2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Teaching and Leadership

Advisor(s)

George Theoharis

Keywords

Advanced Courses;Black Girls;Career and Technical Education;Extracurricular Activities;Quantitative Critical Race Theory (QuantCrit)

Subject Categories

Education | Educational Leadership

Abstract

Abstract This dissertation examines the impact of advanced coursework, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and extracurricular participation on the graduation outcomes of Black girls in a midsized urban school district in Central New York. Grounded in Quantitative Critical Race Theory (QuantCrit), this study addresses how systemic barriers and inequities influence access to educational opportunities that are often gatekeepers for postsecondary success. Despite the longstanding underrepresentation of Black girls in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and STEM-based CTE pathways, this study highlights the academic and social benefits of these experiences when access is equitably provided and supported. Using district-level data collected over a ten-year period (2014–2024), the study explores how participation in rigorous academics and school activities correlates with high school completion. Findings reveal that Black girls who participated in AP coursework were nearly 17 times more likely to graduate, and those in CTE and select extracurriculars like Band and Chorus also experienced significantly higher graduation rates. However, the majority of Black girls did not participate in these high-impact programs, pointing to persistent structural barriers such as tracking, scheduling limitations, and implicit bias. These results call attention to the need for systemic policy reform and the intentional recruitment, mentorship, and support of Black girls in educational spaces. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how race, gender, and access intersect in shaping educational trajectories and offers data-driven strategies for school districts committed to equity and inclusion. Keywords: Black girls, Quantitative Critical Race Theory (QuantCrit), Advanced courses, Career and Technical Education

Access

Open Access

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