Date of Award
5-12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Selected Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities
Department
Education
School
School of Education and Human Services
Abstract
African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a distinct linguistic variety characterized by unique grammatical and phonological features. Despite its linguistic legitimacy, AAVE is often subject to negative perceptions that can adversely affect the educational experiences of students who speak it. The purpose of this study is to examine elementary school teachers’ attitudes toward AAVE and how these are influenced by demographic factors. Forty-eight teachers from Suffolk, New York, and Houston, Texas, participated in a survey that included demographic questions and the Language Attitude Scale (LAS), a validated instrument for assessing attitudes toward AAVE. Demographic variables included age, race, years of experience, geographic region, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and independent samples t-tests. Results revealed that EAL teachers held significantly more positive attitudes toward AAVE than their non-EAL counterparts. There were no significant differences in AAVE attitudes based on age, race, region, or years of experience. These findings underscore the importance of linguistic background in shaping teacher perceptions and illustrate the potential value of incorporating EAL perspectives into professional development. This study contributes to the growing body of research on teacher attitudes toward AAVE and offers actionable insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers committed to fostering culturally responsive pedagogy and promoting equity in the classroom.
Related Pillar(s)
Study
Recommended Citation
Porter, Mary Michelle, "Examining the Relationship Between Teacher Characteristics and African American Vernacular English (AAVE): A Quantitative Study" (2025). Theses & Dissertations. 224.
https://digitalcommons.molloy.edu/etd/224
