Abstract

This paper describes how a university outreach program promotes academic achievement and identity development among culturally diverse tenth-grade students. The primary goal of the outreach program is to advance students' engagement and competency in mathematics and science learning. A secondary goal of the program is to promote the development of students' academic and cultural identities. This paper describes how a university outreach program meets both goals of advancing participants' engagement and competence in mathematics and science while promoting the development of their academic identity and cultural awareness through the implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices. Qualitative data collected through student interviews will be examined to illuminate the program's effectiveness in promoting identity development and achievement in math and science. In addition, outcome data from the program's first four years (1998-2001) are presented to demonstrate its effectiveness at enhancing participants' academic competencies.

pdf