Leslie S. Kaplan

“identified oppositional culture theory, which posited that African American students responded to institutionalized racism by believing that doing well in school is “acting white.” According to this view, many minority students feel as if they have to choose between their minority identity and not learning (and keeping their peers happy) or learning and achieving well (and keeping their teachers and parents happy). As a consequence, these students enact a range of adaptive coping options—often disruptive to the learning environment or to their friendships—in attempts to placate their friends or their teachers. Similarly,”
― Leslie S. Kaplan, Culture Re-Boot: Reinvigorating School Culture to Improve Student Outcomes

“Evidence indicates that strong academic press is especially critical to student achievement in low-income schools.”
― Leslie S. Kaplan, Culture Re-Boot: Reinvigorating School Culture to Improve Student Outcomes