Gatekeepers of the American Dream: how teachers' perceptions shape the academic outcomes of immigrant and language-minority students

Social Science Research
Sarah Blanchard, Chandra Muller

Abstract

High school teachers evaluate and offer guidance to students as they approach the transition to college based in part on their perceptions of the student's hard work and potential to succeed in college. Their perceptions may be especially crucial for immigrant and language-minority students navigating the U.S. educational system. Using the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002), we consider how the intersection of nativity and language-minority status may (1) inform teachers' perceptions of students' effort and college potential, and (2) shape the link between teachers' perceptions and students' academic progress towards college (grades and likelihood of advancing to more demanding math courses). We find that teachers perceive immigrant language-minority students as hard workers, and that their grades reflect that perception. However, these same students are less likely than others to advance in math between the sophomore and junior years, a critical point for preparing for college. Language-minority students born in the U.S. are more likely to be negatively perceived. Yet, when their teachers see them as hard workers, they advance in math at the same rates as nonimmigrant native English speaking peers. Our results d...Continue Reading

References

May 5, 2005·Personality and Social Psychology Review : an Official Journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc·Lee Jussim, Kent D Harber
Dec 17, 2008·Journal of School Psychology·Clark McKown, Rhona S Weinstein
Dec 17, 2008·Journal of School Psychology·Gillian GreenPaul M Camic
Sep 29, 2012·Social Science Research·Thomas A Diprete, Jennifer L Jennings
Apr 1, 2012·Gender & Society : Official Publication of Sociologists for Women in Society·Catherine Riegle-Crumb, Melissa Humphries
Nov 1, 2008·The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·Lingxin Hao, Suet-Ling Pong
Mar 1, 2010·Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·Rebecca CallahanChandra Muller

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Citations

Apr 9, 2016·American Educational Research Journal·Rebecca M Callahan, Melissa H Humphries

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