Year

1977

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Education and Human Services

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

Abstract

For approximately seven years, the number of Black students enrolled in upper-level science courses (e.g., Chemistry, Human Physiology, Physics) is proportionately lower than the number of non-Black students a.t Palatka South High School, Palatka, Florida.

On the surface, this low enrollment appears to coincide with the fact that there are more non-Black students than Black students enrolled in the school. However, if one were to examine closely the total number of Black students enrolled in upperlevel science courses from the school's total Black student population enrolled in science classes, and compare it to the school's total non-Black population enrolled in science courses, it would be evident that there exists a significant amount of disproportion between Black and non-Black enrollment in upper-level science courses. If this trend also exists at the County, State, and even the National level, it would be a major factor in the nation's shortage of minority scientific manpower.

The area of science is forever expanding, providing excellent career opportunities, job advancement and security with good salaries. Given the opportunity for leadership and worthwhile contributions as a professional in the scientific community, Dr. Robert Flakes of Florida A & M University has concluded that "Blacks are under-represented in the science and science-related industries of this country."

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