Examining Academic Aspirations, School Attitudes, Ethnic Identity, and Self-Esteem Among African American Youth

The present study examines middle school students' attitudes towards school, academic aspirations and expectations, self-esteem, and ethnic identity using baseline and follow-up data. A total of 34 predominately African American youth from a university-community prevention program were selected to participate in the present study. Our findings suggest that school attitudes were positively correlated with academic aspirations at follow-up, r =.44, p = .03. In addition, ethnic identity and self- esteem were also positively correlated at follow-up, r = .43, p = .02. These findings are consistent with the literature, suggesting that African American youth are interested in doing well in school.