HOW CAN PROJECT H.O.P.E. “HELPING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE EXCEL” IMPACT THE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES WHO ATTEND A RURAL ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL?

Abstract

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been defined as the ability to perceive, understand, regulate, and harness emotions in self and others (Rivera Jr., & Lee, 2014). The EI of African American male public school students that is often referred to alternative schools is low. African American males perceive themselves negatively as does society too. This study evaluated the impact of Project H.O.P.E (Helping Our Young People Excel), a nonprofit organization was founded in September of 2007, on the EI of African American males that are referred to alternative schools for disruptive behaviors. Project H.O.P.E.'s focused on EI strengthen weak areas identified by the Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). This study compared differences in the EI levels of African American male students who participated in Project HOPE to the EI levels of typically developing African American males that function well in schools. This was assessed with the SSEIT given to high school African American male students and by soliciting teachers/administrators, and parents perceptions about the SSEIT subscales. The subscales of Perception of Emotion, Managing Others Emotions, and Utilization of Emotions displayed Project H.O.P.E.'s largest impact on African American males. Recommendations included creating transitioning strategies for African American males back into mainstream inclusion from the alternative school, to prevent relapses into past negative behaviors. Recommendations were given for teachers and principals to help erase negative perceptions from the past as the student returns back to their home school looking for a fresh start. There was a recommendation for a triangular approach that involved all stakeholders-home, school, community. It takes all stakeholders to help students make the positive turn. Mentoring was highlighted in this dissertation to show its importance in improving the lives of rural African American males. While the recommendations were not silver bullets to solve all of the issues discussed in this dissertation, it is a beginning to combat an issue that is plaguing African American males in rural alternative schools. This information could lend support into fully implementing Project H.O.P.E. into the school to really concentrate on impacting the emotional intelligence of African American males.