Transformation and School Success: The Politics and Culture of Educational Achievement

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Various explanations for low school achievement of minority students include those of cultural differences between teacher and student and low motivation of students because of cynicism regarding their chances in the labor market. These explanations are compared, critiqued, and reconsidered in terms of critical social theory, more especially resistance theory. The article considers the perceived legitimacy of the school and its teachers and the development of oppositional culture by students. Transformation of routine educational practice is necessary, and culturally responsive pedagogy is one means of transformation. CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PEDAGOGY, MINORITY STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, RESISTANCE THEORY, OPPOSITIONAL CULTURE