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Cultural, Ethnic Differences, Parental Involvement Differences, and Educational Achievement of African Heritage Students: Towards Employing a Culturally Sensitive Curriculum in K–12 Classrooms, a Literature Review

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Abstract

For a long time, some researchers have reported on the underperformance of some African Americans in comparison to other minority and non-minority groups. During this time, there have been debates over the causes for the differences in educational achievement between the various subgroups (ethnic subgroups) of students studied. The purpose of this review of literature is to discuss the major reasons for the differences in educational achievement levels of students of African heritage (Afro-Caribbean, African Americans, and Africans). Cultural differences/influence and parental involvement factors will be discussed as potential reasons for the difference in achievement between African Americans, Afro-Caribbean, and African students within the USA. The study concludes with a call for the employment of more culturally sensitive curriculums to enhance K–12 learning for ethnically diverse learners of African descent.

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Correspondence to Patrice Juliet Pinder.

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Pinder, P.J. Cultural, Ethnic Differences, Parental Involvement Differences, and Educational Achievement of African Heritage Students: Towards Employing a Culturally Sensitive Curriculum in K–12 Classrooms, a Literature Review. J Afr Am St 17, 116–128 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-012-9229-y

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