An Exploration of How Secondary Administrators Use Culturally Responsive School Leadership Practices to Recruit and Retain African American Males in Advanced Placement Courses
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Department
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
Spring 2025
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore culturally responsive leadership practices used by secondary principals to create a nurturing environment that support the recruitment and retention of African American males in AP courses. Employing an interpretive qualitative research design allowed me to explore the culturally responsive school leadership practices of secondary principals by clarifying their mindsets and behaviors. The purposes of this study were two-fold. First, I explored which culturally responsive leadership practices secondary administrators use to create a nurturing school environment for African American male students. Second, I explored what culturally responsive leadership practices supported the recruitment and retention of African American males enrolled in AP courses. This interpretive qualitative research used in-depth semi-structured interviews, informal observations, and a reflection journal to gather data to gain insight into the perspectives of the participants’ experiences and beliefs. I used a sample group of 10 participants who reflected on the same phenomenon through in-person semi-structured interviews. Eleven main themes emerged during data analysis. These themes are presented in four primary categories guided by the culturally responsive school leadership framework: leader practices, district practices, student recruitment, and student retention. The themes categorized under leadership practices were relationships, parental support, and counselor support. The themes grouped with district practices included access to courses and professional development. In the category of student recruitment, the themes that emerged included student voice, student interest, and student challenges. Finally, three themes that emerged from the category of student retention included the benefits of programming, interventions, and student support.
Advisor
Julia Ballenger
Subject Categories
Education
Recommended Citation
Jackson Powell, Joann M., "An Exploration of How Secondary Administrators Use Culturally Responsive School Leadership Practices to Recruit and Retain African American Males in Advanced Placement Courses" (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1271.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/1271
