[1] Ford's research interests span the fields of gifted education and multicultural/urban education with a focus on comprehending the achievement gap, recruiting and retaining culturally different students in advanced courses, multicultural curriculum and instruction, culturally competent teacher training and development, African-American Identity, and African-American family involvement.
[4] Her PhD thesis was titled Self-Perceptions of Social, Psychological, and Cultural Determinants of Achievement among Gifted Black Students: A Paradox of Underachievement.
[5] Following her master's degree, Ford began her academic career as an instructor in the department of educational specialists at Cleveland State University.
She returned to Ohio State University in 2019, where she holds the position of distinguished professor of education and human ecology and two faculty affiliates: center for Latin American studies in the college of arts and sciences and the Kirwan Institute in the college of education and human ecology at Ohio State University.
[7] Ford's research contributions have helped to ensure that all students, regardless of their racial ethnic, and economic background, have access to high-quality and culturally responsive education.
"[12] One of her substantial work in this area includes the presentation of the Elgin court case where she discussed the necessity of taking appropriate measures to address the needs of gifted students, particularly those belonging to minority groups who are significantly underrepresented in educational programs.
The formula takes into account the percentage of Black and Hispanic students in a district and sets minimum enrollment goals for these groups based on an allowance of 20%.