Open AccessA Call for Change in the Public Education System in Nova Scotia
Author(s) -
Barbara-Ann Hamilton-Hinch,
JessieLee D. McIsaac,
Mary-Jane Harkins,
Sherry Jarvis,
John C. LeBlanc
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
canadian journal of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.165
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1918-5979
pISSN - 0380-2361
DOI - 10.53967/cje-rce.v44i1.5025
Subject(s) - nova scotia , african descent , christian ministry , thematic analysis , african american , academic achievement , focus group , gender studies , sociology , pedagogy , psychology , qualitative research , political science , medical education , social science , ethnology , medicine , anthropology , law
The United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent and Nova Scotia’s Ministry of African Nova Scotian Affairs recognize that students of African descent continue to experience inequities. As previous studies indicate, parents of Black learners identified that many educators lack knowledge and experience in understanding students of African descent.This study explored student achievement from the perspective of parents of children of African descent attending public schools in Nova Scotia. Participants included individual interviews and focus groups with parents from rural and urban areas. Based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory framework, a thematic analysis of the data was conducted, a dominant storyline related to the families’ experiences in school and subsequent themes emerged: we are treated differently; we don’t feel connected; we know there are challenges: the resistance of parents; and we deal with injustices but persevere. These findings provide recommendations to improve the educational success for Black learners.
Keywords: African Canadian, academic achievement and success, Black students, education, schooling challenges, students of African descent