This presentation examines the linguistic features of African American English (AAE) and its implications for instruction in schools. It highlights the challenges that arise when educators lack awareness of AAE, often leading to misinterpretations of students’ abilities and lower academic expectations for African American students. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of teacher familiarity with AAE to ensure accurate assessment of students’ skills, particularly in areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, and writing. The presentation underscores that AAE represents linguistic differences, not deficiencies, and calls for a shift in perspective to better support African American students. Evidence will be drawn from second-grade students within Aldine Independent School District, illustrating the impact of recognizing and respecting these linguistic distinctions. The session aims to equip educators with the knowledge to foster equitable learning environments and empower all students to achieve their full potential.
