Themes of Academic Achievement Gap: The Differences in Framing After School Program Engagement to High- and Low-Income Audiences

Drawing from a framing theoretical framework, this qualitative research used a thematic analysis method to analyze how after school programs are targeting high- and low-income audiences based off message framing of visual images and texts in attempt to close the academic achievement gap. Each engagement message tactic identified the four nodes of framing—the communicator, the receiver, the text, and the culture. Data collection from this study included engagement tactics of posters, emails, and website announcements provided by two organizations, the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and Sage Ridge School. With using a textual analysis, in conjunction with a thematic analysis allowed the data to be coded into highlighted themes of the academic achievement gap-- socioeconomic status, parental involvement, socialization, and self-esteem. Results explored the culture of each organization throughout the framed message. Implications to why the academic achievement gap exists are discussed, and recommendations for future research in closing the academic achievement gap are also explored