Examining the achievement gap and school-to-prison pipeline: tier 2 behavior interventions for African American and Hispanic students in secondary schools

Project (Ed. S., School Psychology)--California State University, Sacramento, 2014.Current discipline measures used in schools for African American and Hispanic students continue to be problematic, as there is an over-representation of these students in exclusionary discipline. The purpose of this project is to provide school psychologists, administrators, and teachers with current research and resources useful in empowering teaching staff to work with African American and Hispanic students, as well as assist African American and Hispanic students feel connected to school by helping them refine their social, emotional, coping, and communication skills. \ud The purpose of this group curriculum is two fold. First, the curriculum will provide information to teachers and administrators about African American and Hispanic students including: communication styles, the over-representation of African Americans and Hispanics in exclusionary discipline, background factors, and possible problems and solutions while working with these students. Those who attend the first session of the curriculum are expected to gain insight into the over-representation of African Americans and Hispanic students in exclusionary discipline, understand their own biases when working with African American and Hispanic students, and obtain information and resources to work more effectively with African American and Hispanic student to decrease out of class exclusionary discipline. Secondly, the group curriculum will teach African American and Hispanic students coping skills, help them to manage their behavior, improve their communication skills, and understand their strengths. Students who attend the group counseling sessions are expected to be able mange their behavior appropriately in school, feel more connected to the school setting, and decrease their out of class time due to discipline. \ud The prepared project is a group curriculum designed for school psychologists, administrators and teachers. Materials provided as a support to the curriculum include a group curriculum and activities and handouts related to each session of the curriculum. This presentation was designed so that it can be implemented by any school psychologist or school counselor.School Psycholog