ACTA CONSTITUTIVA

You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Ché Wyatt, a doctoral student from Georgia Southern University. I hope to learn how racial identity and the perceptions of others affect behavior and academic performance in school.

The purpose of this study is to gain insight from participants, who have experienced personal or academic challenges, about their school experiences. Also, I hope to gain understanding of how each participant’s experiences and perceptions influenced their academic performance. I hope to gain insight as to how each participant overcame their challenges in order to graduate.

This study will benefit current students and teachers by providing insight that will allow teachers to better educate African American students. This study will benefit current students by removing any misconceptions or racial stereotypes and it will help teachers to better understand African American students and to recognize their diverse skills and abilities.

If you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and participate in a one-on-one interview. The questionnaire will be emailed to you and should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. The completed questionnaire can be returned through email. After the questionnaire is completed and reviewed, participants will be selected to participate in an interview. The interview will take no longer than 1-2 hours. During the

interview, you will be encouraged to share your school experiences with race related issues. The interviews will be recorded by audio tape. The audio tapes will be kept in a secure location. To preserve confidentiality, participants’ names will not be used. Instead, participants will be given pseudonyms.

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and participants will not be financially compensated. There are no physical risks associated with participation in this study. However, if you feel any level of discomfort, you may choose not to answer any question(s) for any reason and you are also welcomed to discontinue participation at any time, without penalty.

Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission or as required by law. Participant identities will be kept confidential. Participants will be assigned pseudonyms and will only be identified by the pseudonyms during the study.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the study at any time, please feel free to contact me at 770 827-2647 or email at [email protected]. To contact the Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs for answers to questions about the rights of research participants please email [email protected] or call 912 478-0843.

You must be 18 years of age or older to consent to participate in this research study. Your signature indicates that you have read and understand the information provided above, that you willingly agree to participate, that you may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty, that you will receive a copy of this form, and that you are not waiving any legal claims.

You will be given a copy of this consent form to keep for your records. This project has been reviewed and approved by the GSU Institutional Review Board under tracking number H12083. Title of Project: Racial Identity: The perceptions, the Challenges and the

Performance of African Americans Principal Investigator: Ché Wyatt

770 827-2647 [email protected] Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lorraine Gilpin,

College of Teaching and Learning, Georgia Southern University

912/478-5614

[email protected]

______________________________________ _____________________

Participant Signature Date

I, the undersigned, verify that the above informed consent procedure has been followed. ______________________________________ _____________________

Appendix B

PRE-QUESTIONNAIRE Read each statement. Answer as accurately as possible.

1. My first name is ____________________________________. 2. I am ___________ years old.

3. I would define my race as __________________________. 4. During high school, I lived with:

_______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 5. My high school was located in

A. Rural area B. Urban area

6. In school, I felt as though:

A. I was a valuable part of the school community. B. I was a member of a subordinate group.

C. I was neither an important or unimportant part of the school community.

7. Read the following, circle all that apply. A. I was retained in a grade.

B. I had low scores on standardized test. C. I dropped out of school,

D. I was cited on multiple occasions for truancy.

E. I met with a counselor or administrator on more than three occasions for discipline referrals.

F. I had a child or became pregnant while in school, 8. Briefly describe your feelings about your education (8th – 12th).

Appendix C

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1. How would you describe yourself to others? 2. How do you feel about school?

3. What kind of student were you?

4. How important was school to you? Why?

5. How do you feel about the ways that you were taught? 6. How do you think people viewed you in school? 7. Describe the way you were treated in school?

8. Were all students given the same support in school? If no, how did it differ?

9. In terms of your academic goals, what type of guidance did you receive from your school’s administrative team, counselors, academic coaches, or teachers?

10. As an African American student, what presented the biggest problems for you at school? How did you cope with these problems?

11. When did you feel successful/ when did you feel unsuccessful at school? 12. What factors differentiate successful students from unsuccessful students? 13. Who or what are the most important factors that influence your academic

development?

14. What factors need to be improved in order for African American students to be successful?

Appendix D

Criteria for Participants

Name Age & Class Gender Family Structure (SFH- single family home) (2PH- 2 parent home) Low Socio- Economic Status Academic or Counselor Referral Low Standardized Test Scores Dwayne 22 Senior M SFH Y N N Kim 18 Freshman F 2PH Y N N Denise 19 Sophomore F SFH N Y N Ron 20 Sophomore M SFH Y Y Y Freddie 18 Freshman F SFH Y N N Jaleesa 22 Senior F 2PH N Y N