Case Study: Rashaud Kates

By: Rachel Cailes and Isabelle Tearse

I am African American. My culture is
important to me. It is who I am -
Rashaud Kates
 Summary of the Case Study
Student Background:

Rashaud is an African-American student in Georgia, starting his Senior

year of high school.

His parents are divorced, he is living with his mother

He is very determined to get good grades and go to college so he can one

day start a business

He is looking into applying to Georgia State and various scholarships

His school seems to only be providing him with limited information about community
colleges
 Summary of the Case Study
Educational Background:

He has had to put up with and go

against teachers expectations
because he is African American

Mostly white teachers

He has had two kinds of teachers

One who would slap a ruler on his desk

One who would work with him outside of

class
 Cultural Challenges
There is a crisis in black education

Unequal opportunities for students of

African Heritage

Discrepancies in

Graduation rates

Resources

Access to qualified teachers

Bias in Special Education

First generation students

 Interpretation- Institutionalized Racism
Rashauds Beliefs on this situation
It is the student's responsibility to stay
determined in order to push past
institutionalized racism.
It is the student's responsibility to act
differently in order to prove the
teachers bias to be wrong.
Faith in American meritocracy
The teacher thinks Im bad cause Im
Black. I overcome it by just being me,
just who I am; then they see me as a
regular person - Rashaud Kates (p.97).
Responsibility of the Teacher
I would tell teachers about African
American students, Everybodys not
bad; have high expectations. -Rashaud
Kates (p.97)
It is up to teachers to not put a
preconceived bias on our students.
Several researchers highlight the
necessity of mentors to support
students of color in this process, which
is so vital to socioeconomic upward
mobility (p.100)
 Link to Equity-Based Learning Environment
As teachers, it will be our responsibility to help all students in a way that is
productive and efficient for them.

If a student is constantly being told you're loud, inattentive, and

disruptive, they will start to believe its true or give up.
Can be damaging to their self worth and determination to do well in school

This case brings up 3 main themes: Determined responsibility, plans for the
future, and the enduring influence of teachers expectations.
 Link to Equity-Based Learning Environment
Important for educators to reflect on their own beliefs related to:

Knowledge

Race and culture

Teaching practices

Teaching as a professions

Expectations of students

Result of these reflections would change the students and teachers views
Thank You
Questions?