A Chronic Disparity
Sixty years after the Supreme Court outlawed segregated school systems, de facto racial imbalances persist in American education. A stubborn example is the underrepresentation of African-Americans in engineering. Hardly anyone approves of this, and no single reason explains it. For black men, the situation is complicated by their overall position in higher education, where they are outnumbered and outperformed by African-American women.
The students interviewed for our cover story, “Survival Course,” are motivated high achievers. But their accounts illustrate gaps affecting African-American men that researchers have found in the system. A combination of steps can often make a difference. Financial aid needs to take into account that five years may be required for undergraduates. Summer bridge programs and strong developmental teaching, together with conscientious advising, help a lot of students make up for inadequate high school preparation in math, science, and study skills. Providing a welcoming lab and classroom setting gives African-Americans the sense that they belong in engineering. Research experiences stimulate learning. And an understanding mentor can make the difference between a student’s staying on track and giving up in despair.
The story is timely in light of a White House initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper,” aimed at young black men, and April’s Supreme Court decision upholding Michigan’s ban on affirmative action. Since seven states already have bans similar to Michigan’s and at least three more are likely to follow, creative new tools will be needed to enroll more African Americans.
There’s no shortage of creative ideas in teaching. The problem is and has always been getting them widely adopted. One that’s still rare in engineering education is the use of apps. Georgia Tech’s Julian Rimoli and the University of Oklahoma’s Kurt Gramoll are starting to change that, as Alice Daniel’s story, “Game On!” reports. The downside: Development takes time and app expertise.
Don’t miss Susan Baer’s interesting profile of Mitch Daniels, keynote speaker at ASEE’s 121st Annual Conference and Exposition. As Purdue’s president, he’s living up to the budget-cutting reputation he acquired at the White House Office of Management and Budget – but not in engineering, which he’s intent on expanding.
We hope you enjoy the summer Prism. Please send us your comments.
Mark Matthews
m.matthews@asee.org