Barriers to Black Male College Success: Identifying and Conquering the Saboteur.

Researchers posit that American males face educational challenges during the elementary school years that progress to negatively impact college matriculation. However educational outcomes are even more dismal for Black American males and represent a crisis for the country and the Black community. Failure to attain higher learning has been associated with many difficulties that confront this demographic including unemployment, gang membership, violence, incarceration, and intergenerational poverty. The decrease in stereotypical "traditional male" employment makes it imperative to prepare Black males to compete in a workforce that requires higher education. In this paper, the author discussed a unique set of influences that interfere with the college progression and success of Black males more than most other race and ethnic groups. These factors prevent the demonstration of academic skill and mastery consistent with actual ability and competence levels and are collectively referred to as the saboteur. A high school-tocollege transition and in-college retention and support program that emphasizes academic success in relation to masculine principles was presented to promote awareness of these barriers and to reduce their impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]