Title

An exploratory study of family therapists working as consultants to address the interaction between race and education in an elementary school

Date of Award

1997

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Marriage and Family Therapy

Advisor(s)

Kenneth V. Hardy

Keywords

African-Americans

Subject Categories

Race and Ethnicity | Social Psychology and Interaction | Social Work

Abstract

In response to the problem of lower standardized test scores and higher rates of reported problem behaviors among African American students as compared with white students, a team of family therapists was hired by an elementary school to serve as school consultants. This exploratory, qualitative study, guided by the grounded theory method of analysis, examined data gathered in association with the consultation to explore the nature of the identified problem, the response of the school system to the consultation, and, the implications of the findings. Data analysis revealed that devaluation, loss, and rage underlay the school-related difficulties of African American students. The analysis also demonstrated that administrators, teachers/staff, and parents perceived the consultation as resulting in some positive changes and some negative changes, as well as in no change, which also was considered negative. Implications for theory and intervention are provided.

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