Publication Date

7-1-2002

Summary

There is increasing divergence in the academic outcomes of African American males and females. By most accounts, males are falling behind their female peers educationally as African American females are graduating from high schools at higher rates and are going on to college and graduate school in greater numbers. Some have suggested that school completion and performance is associated with how students feel about themselves. The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences in the relationship between self-perceptions and two academic outcomes among a sample of 243 African American high school sophomores. The results suggest that, overall; females are more favorably oriented toward high school completion. Both male and female students with more positive self-perceptions have stronger intentions to complete the current year of high school. Higher grade point averages were more strongly associated with greater self-efficacy for females than for males. Given these findings, increased attention to educational programming, societal messages and future research is warranted.

Document Type

Working Paper

Category

Financial Inclusion

Subarea

Asset Building

Notes

Subsequent publication: Saunders, J., Davis, L., Williams, T., & Williams, J. H. (2004). Gender differences in self-perceptions and academic outcomes: A study of African American high school students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 33(1), 81–90. doi:10.1023/A:1027390531768

Original Citation

Saunders, J., Davis, L., Williams, T., & Miller-Cribbs, J. (2002). Gender differences in self-perceptions and academic outcomes: A study of African American high school students (CSD Working Paper No. 02-10). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.

Project

Choices of Life for Adolescence Success (CLASS) Project

Keywords

college enrollment, academic achievement, self-esteem, gender, youth, African American, education

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