ABSTRACT The purpose of this research study is to embrace avenues that will focus on improving retention in academics achievement for black males. Focus will be placed on academic achievements, overcoming social challenges, continuous involvement in their education and the implementation of a male based tutorial program. Today, graduation rate of whites, black females and other ethnicities are significantly higher than those of black males. The truth is more than 25 percent of black males leave high school within the first year, and sadly never reaches their full potential or achieves all that they are capable of achieving. The Wake County Public School System dropout rate is improving however; the retention of rate of black males has only a slight improvement. I hope that the findings from this study can contribute to furthering of awareness of and inspiring future research for minority Black male involvement in our schools, as well as opening doors to practices and procedural changes simplifying the education of children who greatly need to achieve at higher levels in schools. ? CONTENTS ABSTRACT I CHAPTER i: INTRODUCTION 1 Statement of Purpose 1 The Setting of the Problem 1 Background 2 Scope of Thesis 3 Definition of Terms 5 CHAPTER ii: LITERATURE REVIEW 7 8 9 10 11 18 20 20 22 Chapter III: OPTION SELECTION AND METHODOLOGY 26 Selection of Options 26 Option one – 26 Option two – 26 Option three – alternate policy decision 26 Selected Option 27 Methodology 28 Hypotheses 29 Hypothesis One: 29 Hypothesis Two: 29 Hypothesis Three: 29 Statement of Objectives 29 Objective One: 29 Objective Two: 29 Objective Three: 30 Limitations 30 Chapter IV: ANALYSIS OF HYPOTHESES 32 Results 32 Data Collection Plan 34 Chapter V: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 36 Summary 36 Open Issues 36 Conclusions 37 Recommendations 37 BIBLIOGRAPHY 40 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION Much emphasis is placed on the education system. The future of the country depends on the quality of education students are given. When measuring quality, high standards must be taken into consideration. In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was mandated and required public schools to develop a system where schools can produce positive learning outcomes and create teaching methods which allow students to be assisted with their shortcomings. The government is asking schools to report on their progress for accountability purposes. Accountability means, assuring schools are meeting the required mandates by the federal government (2002). Black males face formidable challenges in their educational development. They are at an educational disadvantage relative to other ethnicities. Disadvantages may include: employment, health care, stereotypical society which leads to criminal activities. With reformation, the intent is to produce “A” graduates that may become predominant leaders in their community Statement of Purpose The purpose of this action research project, “The Retention Improvement in Student Education” (RISE) is to examine some of the barriers plaguing young black males in Wake County. RISE will be a mentoring and tutorial program designed to improve students’ academics and behavior through mentoring. An applied design intervention tutorial proposal will review the origins as to why Black males are not progressing as motivated learners in the classroom. The Retention Improvement in Student Education program is a community based educational organization that supports low performing Black males in Southeast Raleigh. Setting of the Problem The Retention Improvement in Student Education program will be located in Southeast Raleigh. The program will be housed in the Chavis Community Center at 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh, N.C. Formally known as Chavis Heights, Chavis Heights was Raleigh’s oldest public housing community, as well as one of the largest. It was built in 1938. In 2007, the housing complex was demolished and a new public housing was built. The community center and the carousel went under revitalization construction and open and operable today. Southeast Raleigh is one of the fasted growing residential locations in the Raleigh area. Background An applied design intervention is being considered to assist Black males overcome the variables associated with academic achievement in Wake County. The 16th largest school system in the nation, Wake County Public School System has some of best teachers and some of the most innovative 21st Century programs to ensure all students graduate ready for college and career. However, the evidence is conclusive, even with the best teachers; black males are facing an uphill educational battle. National controversy arose in 2010 over the 5-4 decision of the Wake County School Board to change from the socioeconomic diversification policy that had been in place for over a decade. The new system would focus on neighborhood schools. Residents of the B