Dismantling the Deficit Thinking That Derails African American Student Achievement.

Dr. Hines uses this presentation to inform participants’ about the dangerous, pervasive, and divisive impact of “Deficit Thinking” on educators’ beliefs about teaching African American students. The presenter defines the term “Deficit Thinking” in accordance to how genetic pathology, culture of poverty, and at-risk activation continue to shortchange the academic experiences and development of students of African descent. Dr. Hines then immerses participants in practical approaches to dismantling deficit thoughts through using African American culture as an asset based model for nurturing Black student achievement.