African-American Student Achievement

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Teachers will develop a framework of knowledge and understanding of the various strategies for improving achievement for African-American students in the classroom and school situations.
2. Educators taking this course will learn about planning lessons inclusive to Africa-American culture as well as capitalizing on student interests.
3. Teachers will learn about the effective interactions with Urban African-American culture as well as awareness of African American gender issues.
   
4. Educators will examine the involvement of African-American parents in their child's educational experience and ways to improve support for schools.
   
5. Teachers will examine these complex issues and develop a lesson or unit plan strategies or activities in the book and how they can use instructional techniques for improving student achievement and behavior in schools.

Dropout Dilemma

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Students will have a working knowledge of the statistical magnitude and the social demographic characteristics related to the dropout issue at national, state and local levels.
2. Educators read and review publishes articles on the dropout problem and view movie segments that examine dropout issues and the corresponding social issues.
3. Students will learn to categorize and label the causes associated with dropping out of school into the various areas of social responsibility and authority.
4. Participants will analyze the social and psychological dynamics involving family systems and the numerous issues that cause students to drop out of school.
5. Teachers will develop dropout interventions, solutions and prevention strategies that can reduce the likelihood of students dropping out of school.