A study of the racial identity and achievement of black males and females*

Abstract

A review of the literature suggests that little information exists regarding the self‐perceptions of gifted Black students. Yet, more than 400 studies have explored the racial identity status and development of Black children and adults. This study examined the racial identity and achievement of 152 Black males and females. Forty‐two Black adolescents (28%) were identified as gifted by their school districts. Sixty‐two students (42%) were underachieving, a disproportionate percentage of them male. Comparisons were made by three variables — gender, achievement status (underachieving vs. achieving) and academic ability (44 gifted, 67 potentially gifted, and 38 general education students). T‐test and ANOVA results indicate that students tended to have strong, positive racial identities. However, males and underachievers had less positive racial identities than females and achievers. Also, gifted students had more positive racial identities than other students.