Teachers' racial beliefs and perceptions of Black and White boys' behaviors

What is it about?

Black students receive significantly harsher discipline compared to their White peers, likely due to differences in teachers’ perceptions of their behaviors. This research identified four different types of teacher profiles based on their beliefs about the causes of racial inequity. Additionally, teachers’ profiles related differently to their perceptions of Black and White boys’ behaviors as hostile, serious, and aggressive, as well as their empathy towards Black and White boys.

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Photo by Rewired Digital on Unsplash

Photo by Rewired Digital on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Teachers’ perceptions of students impact their interactions and decision-making, especially their discipline decisions. Our findings identifies patterns of beliefs held by teachers that likely relate to their negative perceptions of Black youth behaviors which possibly impact racial disparities in Black and White youth classroom experiences with discipline. A key implication is that by understanding why and which teachers might engage in racialized discipline, training and intervention programs can be created that target educators’ specific needs.