STUDENT-GENERATED SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH

School participants offer a unique, yet often overlooked, perspective about the education of African American students. In the present study, 22 elementary and 21 high school students completed an open-ended questionnaire regarding African American studentsʹ perceptions of academic problems and solutions to these problems. Thematic analysis of these responses led to the following observations: (a) academic preparation and active participation in class would enhance academic success, (b) positive peer influences would be helpful in promoting academic success even during pre-adolescent years, (c) self-empowering African American students by teaching them self-management techniques would promote academic success, and (d) praise and encouragement by teachers and parents is needed to facilitate African American students active participation in class and their school work.