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African American schools in the segregated South faced enormous obstacles in educating their students. But some of these schools succeeded in providing nurturing educational environments in spite of the injustices of segregation. Vanessa Siddle Walker tells the story of one such school in rural North Carolina, the Caswell County Training School, which operated from 1934 to 1969. She focuses especially on the importance of dedicated teachers and the principal, who believed their jobs extended well beyond the classroom, and on the community's parents, who worked hard to support the school.

According to Walker, the relationship between school and community was mutually dependent. Parents sacrificed financially to meet the school's needs, and teachers and administrators put in extra time for professional development, specialized student assistance, and home visits. The result was a school that placed the needs of African American students at the center of its mission, which was in turn shared by the community. Walker concludes that the experience of CCTS captures a segment of the history of African Americans in segregated schools that has been overlooked and that provides important context for the ongoing debate about how best to educate African American children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Two thumbs up
This is a marvelously well-written book, easy to read, compelling personal accounts, providing an in-depth look at the socio-cultural dynamics of a segregated community from an empowering African American POV.As a yankee and a layperson, this was an introduction to the subject matter for me, and it provided a great perspective on the interplay between local politics and wider legislative actions at the national level.It tended to be a little redundant at times, but the story is so compelling, and the voices so authentic, I really did not mind.

The book focuses during the period of legalized segregation
Their Highest Potential, written by Vanessa Siddle Walker,is an extensively researched book specifically covering a southern African American school community in Caswell County, North Carolina until its lastyear of segregated operation ending in 1969.The book focuses during theperiod of legalized segregation of public schools and how African Americanstudents were not equally as funded compared to that of white schools. Regardless ofthe unequal funding and the poorer facilities, Walker goesfurther in detail about how the untold story of this school system inCaswell County was able to provide the means necessary for their studentsto succeed to their highest potential.Walker states, to remembersegregated schools largely by recalling only their poor resources presentsa historically incomplete picture (p. 3). Through a series of interviews,Walker incorporates vivid memories of the past to help bring to life theexistence and development of Caswell County High School. The bookbegins explaining how the environment and atmosphere of segregated schoolswas actually a good thing for black children.In segregated schools therewas no conflict of racism nor did black children recognize themselves as aminority.Within the segregated school theywere not treated like secondrate citizens, but they received the attention and education they deserved,despite the lack of resources.Through out the years the school boardreluctantly provided any materials necessary for satisfactory operation. Yet, the black community continuously in the dilemma of not havingresources and room for the growing number of people, still managed toenlighten students. Determined parents time after time lobbied for a newschool with the help from N. Longworth Dillard, the principal.Eventually,the overcrowded Rosenwald School moved to the newly built Caswell CountyTraining School in March of 1951. After years of prying,the peoplefinally had the newest and largest school in the county (p 61). Duringits time,the school became the only accredited school in the county bythe Southern Association of Schools and Colleges in 1955 and remained thatway until after desegregation (p. 8).The forming of Caswell CountyTraining School was dedicated to Dillard's perseverance but could not have been accomplished if it was not for the parental advocates.Advocates inwhich Walker calls them, were adults who took an active role in seeking thematerials needed for the children.These advocates positioned themselvesbetween the needs of the school and the lack of response from the schoolboard (p 65).Whether it was from parents donating lumber to teachersstaying after to help a student, the community made an environment thatproduced achievement.With this unified effort, black children receivedthe education they deserved despite the hardships of having less thanadequate supplies.In particular,this school system was the ideallearning institution where the principal, teachers, parents, and studentsall worked together to achieve common goals ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!
I purchased Dr. Kunjufu book "Keeping Black Boys Out of Special Education" when my son African Amercican entered kindergarten.My research began after I received several complaints from my son's teacher of his behavior.This book is a must have if you are raising a African American boy.Dr. K provides information on the statistics of a large percentage young black boys attending special education programs and being prescribed medication; such as Retalin to help them focus in school.According to the statistics there exist a larger % of AA boys in Special Ed courses than white children and female children.Subsequently, to reading this book my son's teacher suggested that I have my son evaluated and when I refused she politely insinuated that my son needed to be evaluated so that he could be prescribed medication in order for him to be calm during school hours.Dr. K explains how such medication can ultimately lead our son's into a behavior of drug use in their later years, leading to a life of crime and drug addiction.We must be aware of the psychological traps that are being set for our son, please do not listen to the schools.In many cases this behavior can be corrected simply by placing your child into sports programs, establishing homework skills, reading with your child, limiting and screening television programs.I have read many of Dr. K books; such as Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, Developing Positive Self- Images & Discipline in Black Children and Motivating & Preparing Black Youth for Success.I am so grateful to Dr. J; my son is now eight years old and he has calm down so much without the special education programs or medication. Also, I should mention there was never an academic issue, just behavior.I saturated my son's after school hours with sports, reading, church activity and eliminated all TV time during the week (took SpongeBob out totally).Please do not misunderstand what I am saying some boys need special need programs; but Dr. K will help you make that determination and find other alternatives and not rely strictly on the advice of the teachers and the school staff. Such information provided by Dr. K helps AA parents to educate themselves on such processes, so that you provide the best possible education for your children.I am a single AA mom raising a my son in a difficult environment and I need all the help I can get...thank you Dr. K (I'm also purchasing "Raising Black Boys")

Where are the Solutions?asks a former special educator
Kunjufu sheds light on an incredibly important social problem in our public schools: the overplacement of black boys in special education classes, yet I felt overall that he succumbs to the same problem that he blames others of in the opening of his book, he presents no real solutions! I commend Mr. Kunjufu for writing a bold book for a larger audience and if this book brings any positive attention to this issue, he should be applauded.

First, let me address many of the positive points that he addresses. I must add as a caveat, however, that nearly all of his advice is becoming mainstream knowledge in public schools. He often treats this material as if it is revolutionary and never thought of before. He explains that classrooms must be designed for boys, which is rarely true in female dominated classrooms. (82% of elementary teachers are female.)Multiple intelligence training is also essential to ensure that boys' (and all learners) are being addressed.Developmental differences between genders should be incorporated into literacy lessons.

Perhaps my biggest critique of this book is its generalization of all black boys having the same needs.By making this assumption, we must assume that all black families are the same and that communities, schools, socioeconomic status make no difference.He does acknowledge this, but then returns to simple models and charts that reinforce the similarities of all black boys. Many of my black male special education students did not like rap music or sports, and taking the individual out of teaching is very dangerous.

I do agree in one of his suggestions, that we need more black male teachers. How do we encourage more black men to teach? By berating white women who are filling the gap, we are accomplishing nothing!

Other criticims, don't read on if you liked the book or expect to - His tone is often dogmatic and condescending towards teachers, he includes religion as a solution and advocates having Bibles in the classroom!, brings in faulty arguments about links between nutrition and education, defends OJ Simpson, and uses loud screaming fonts to make his point.

Not a scholarly read, but does bring attention to an atrocious social phenomenon that must be understood and stopped! Hopefully our new president can help get us on the right track.

Keeping Black Boys Out of Spec. Ed. is a must read
Every parent, educator, school board member, etc. should read this book.I have been in education for over 20 years, and I can say with no hesitation that Mr. Kunjufu is on the mark with this book.

Thanks Again
This book provided as much insight as I needed to adress the topic I had been researching. Very useful

Opens your eyes and mind
I brought this book because it is very revelent. The book is Afro- centric. In some was has a strong 60's type message and tone. The facts are true, candid and thought provoking. I highly recommend the sections on how to deal with the school system as an advocate for the child as well the sections on developing the child's self esteem. The recommendations in the book do work.It's a good book for educators and African American families regardless of your child's grades. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

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One of the most comprehensive books examining the experiences of African Americans throughout the educational enterprise. ... Read more

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This book is a comprehensive survey of African American Christian Religious Education (AACRE). It addresses historical, theological, and ministerial issues. The book defines concepts and explores history, considers the diverse voices that are addressing AACRE, and then focuses on educational theory and practice. Religious Education in the African American Tradition considers a diversity of voices, including those of evangelical, Pentecostal, liberation, and womanist theologians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

First of it's kind
Hill's text is an excellent and thorough precis on the pedagogical, theological, and historical variables in African-American Christian Education. It is a must read for any student who is interested in understanding what, why, and how the African-American Church teaches the operational and confessional affirmations of black religiosity. ... Read more

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This Handbook received an honorable mention at the 2009 PROSE Awards. The PROSE Awards annually recognize the very best in professional and scholarly publishing by bringing attention to distinguished books, journals, and electronic content in over 40 categories.

“This volume fills the tremendous void that currently exists in providing a much-needed lens for cultural leadership and proficiency. The approach provides a wide divergence of perspectives on African American forms of leadership in a variety of diverse leadership settings.”
-Len Foster, Washington State University

The SAGE Handbook of African American Education is a unique, comprehensive collection of theoretical and empirical scholarship in six important areas: historical perspectives, teaching and learning, PK–12 school leadership, higher education, current issues, and education policy. The purpose of the Handbook is to articulate perspectives on issues affecting the participation and leadership of African Americans in PK–12 and postsecondary education. This volume also addresses historical and current issues affecting the education of African Americans and discusses current and future school reform efforts that directly affect this group.

Key Features

• Promotes inquiry and development of questions, ideas, and dialogue about critical practice, theory, and research on African Americans in the United States educational system
• Makes significant contributions to the scholarship on African Americans in the broad context of U.S. education and society
• Addresses the central question-in what ways do African Americans in corporate, private, and public positions influence and shape educational policy that affects African Americans?

"The SAGE Handbook of African American Education is a unique, comprehensive collection of theoretical and empirical scholarship in six important areas: historical perspectives, teaching and learning, Pre-K-12 school leadership, higher education, current issues, and education policy."
-TEACHERS OF COLOR

“A wise scientist once argued that to doubt everything or to believe everything often results in the same solution set; both eliminate the need for reflection. This handbook provides an intellectual space for those interested in true reflection on the human ecology of the African American experience in schools, communities, and society. The /Handbook of African American Education/ is a repository of information developed to advance the human service professional.”
-William F. Tate IV, Washington University in St. Louis

"This handbook represents the most comprehensive collection of research on African Americans in education to date. Its breadth spans the historical, the political, institutional and community forces that have shaped educational opportunities and attainment among African Americans. The review of extant research on a range of topics from the role of culture and identity in learning, teacher preparation, educational leadership, to higher education and educational policy is far-reaching and cutting edge. This volume has historic significance and will become a classic collection on African American education for scholars and practitioners alike."
-Carol D. Lee, Professor, Northwestern University
Vice-President, Division G, American Educational Research Association

“This handbook is needed as a basic reference for professors and graduate students conducting research on the education of Blacks in America.”
-Frank Brown, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Dealing candidly with matters usually considered taboo in academic discourse, Wolters argues that the Supreme Court acted correctly and in accordance with public sentiment in Brown but that it later took a wrong turn by equating desegregation with integration. Wolters explains that while Brown called for desegregation by requiring that schools deal with students on a racially nondiscriminatory basis, subsequent decisions Green, Swann, Keyes required actual integration through racial balancing. Wolters challenges statistics that support the results of racial balancing by describing how school desegregation and integration actually proceeded in several towns, cities, and counties. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A uniquely honest study of racial integration in schools
What caused the decline in American public education over the past 50 years?Countless books have been written on this subject.Most are politically correct drivel, some written by the same academics whose advocacy of social engineering for egalitarian and multicultural objectives helped cause the decline in the first place.A few - especially the authoritative histories of public education by Diane Ravitch - have shed a damming light on utopian pedagogical fads such as "the child centered classroom," "outcome based education," and the general hostility of the educational establishment towards a curriculum based on the transmission of knowledge, with the establishment favoring instead a curriculum based on "learning how to learn" and indoctrination in politically correct platitudes. These are indeed important causes of American educational decline.But perhaps THE most important cause, the forced racial integration of primary and secondary schools, especially programs like busing to achieve "racial balance," is seldom addressed in the literature about educational problems.Even Ravitch - unblinkingly honest on other reasons - largely (though not entirely) skirts the race issue.There are good reasons for the general silence, of course.Racial integration and its modern embodiment, the cult of diversity, have become sacrosanct, part of the American civic religion, whose moral goodness and entirely positive effects cannot be questioned by decent people.Anyone who does is, ipso facto, not decent, a racist who should be driven out of polite society and, if possible, professionally ruined.

Nevertheless, from time to time (albeit rarely), a brave soul DOES question the orthodoxy that racial integration has been an unalloyed good for American education.Raymond Wolters is one of these.An education scholar and university professor, he first described the negative effects of forced integration in his seminal work, THE BURDEN OF BROWN, which carefully described the experiences of several widely different school districts with racial integration in the years immediately following the Supreme Court's BROWN decision in 1954 which abolished legal segregation by race in public schools.

It wasn't a pretty picture then, and it gets worse in RACE & EDUCATION, which updates Wolters' study of school integration to 2007.The collapse in academic standards, the increase in violence, and the general decay which took place in many schools after they were racially integrated is described in detail.But the book is much more than a description of chaos.Wolters seeks to understand the reasoning of the integrationists as well as the court decisions which implemented their ideas.Much of RACE & EDUCATION is devoted to a study of the theories that psychologists and sociologists like Kenneth Clark and James S. Coleman used to justify forced integration and mass busing, their general idea being that lower class black children required the presence of a critical mass of middle class white students in their classrooms in order to reach their learning potential. In several places, Wolters (who strongly supports the Supreme Court's original BROWN decision) points out that these theories and court decisions violated BROWN (which had outlawed race discrimination in school enrollment) by REQUIRING race discrimination to "racially balance" schools.

Wolters also shows how academic theories about why (in his words) "the travail of integration" was necessary, changed over time as busing and racial integration failed to improve black academic achievement, especially in relation to whites.Since the achievement gap in standardized tests between black and white students was not significantly narrowed, the rationale for integration had to be shifted from academic benefits to the benefits of diversity.In the new multicultural America of the 21st century, black children and white children must "mingle" in school to learn how to work together as adults.Some integrationists, according to Wolters, celebrated the increase in interracial dating in some schools as sufficient reason to consider integration a success, apparently disregarding their previous concern with academic goals.

Finally, Wolters describes how federal courts have stepped back in recent years from racial balancing towards the original interpretation of the BROWN decision, as requiring a race blind attitude in all areas of education. This has caused an end to busing in some districts and a decline in "racially balanced" schools, over the protests of academics like Gary Orfield who remain strong advocates of even more integration. Wolters takes a cautiously hopeful view of the future, predicting that perhaps schools- no longer forced to spend so much time and resources on racial issues - will be able to focus on improving education in other ways.

I'm more pessimistic.The damage that racial integration has done to American schools is, in my view, even greater than described by Professor Wolters.Indeed, I believe he understates what is in fact a disaster, a kind of self-administered educational lobotomy that America has done to itself.For example, though Wolters, unlike most scholars, pays some attention to the negative effects integration had on white children, he could easily have devoted an entire chapter to this subject, while still maintaining a general focus on the effect integration had on black children.

Overall, though, this is a fine book, an honest book.Unfortunately, it (save for THE BURDEN OF BROWN) will probably remain a unique one.

... Read more

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This groundbreaking volume establishes new perspectives on black history - its scholarship and pedagogy, scholars and interpreters, and evolution as a profession. Pero Gaglo Dagbovie discusses a wide range of issues and themes for understanding and analyzing African American history, the twentieth century black historical enterprise, and the teaching of African American history for the twenty-first century. Additional topics include the hip-hop generation's relationship to and interpretations of African American history; past, present, and future approaches to the subject; and, the social construct of knowledge in African American historiography. An exclamation of definitions of black history from W. E. B. Du Bois' "The Souls of Black Folk" and a survey of early black women historians lend further dimension and authenticity to the volume. A bold contribution to the growing fields of African American historiography and the philosophy of black history, "African American History Reconsidered" offers numerous analytical frameworks for understanding and delving into a variety of dimensions of the African American historical experience. ... Read more

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The variety and complexity of its traditions make African American religion among the most difficult topics in religious studies to teach to undergraduates. The sheer scope of the material to be covered is daunting to instructors, many of whom are not experts in African American religious traditions, but are called upon to include material on African American religion in courses on American Religious History or the History of Christianity. Also, the unfamiliarity of the subject matter to the vast majority of students makes it difficult to achieve any depth in the brief time allotted in the survey courses where it is usually first encountered. The essays in this volume will supply functional, innovative ways to teach African American religious traditions in a variety of settings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Teaching African American Religions
Jones provides a very precise framework for effective teahing of AA religions.Her pedagogical suggestions, along with careful scholarship present a valuable directive to the subject matter. ... Read more

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The essays in this collection highlight some of the efforts made by both blacks and whites to promote adult education for the African American community from 1619 to the present. Part I highlights adult education efforts in antebellum society. The flurry of educational activities within the African American community during the periods of the Civil War and Reconstruction are the focus of Part II. Part III examines institutional, governmental, and voluntary association efforts in black adult education since the 1890s. ... Read more

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Not surprisingly, African Americans have faced considerable obstacles in pursuing careers in engineering in the United States. Wharton has constructed the first history of black efforts to advance in this field from Emancipation to the present, as well as the reactions from state and federal agencies and from institutions of higher education. A pioneering effort, this book makes many telling points on the movement of a disadvantaged minority into a technologically advanced society. ... Read more

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Public education can be one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of a government wanting to maintain power, as it is the realm in which children are taught the social values and norms that will sustain the culture when they become adults. In South Africa, education was kept separate, unequal, and decidedly undemocratic, and as Hlatshwayo explains, it was used specifically to preserve and perpetuate inequality. In a work designed for historians and education professionals alike, he examines the tumultuous and highly politicized history of South African education and evaluates the prospects for its hopefully nonracialized future. ... Read more

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This book is designed to show how the integration of social learning can improve social skills of young African American males. The importance of early intervention is also stressed. ... Read more

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In this compelling book, the authors put a human face on desegregation practices in the South. Focusing on an African American community in Alabama, they document not only the gains but also the significant losses experienced by students when their community school was closed and they were forced to attend a White desegregated school across town. This volume is an in-depth look at the unmet promises of school desegregation that can help us provide a quality education for all children in the 21st century. ... Read more

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When Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Males appeared in 1998, it was hailed as "a crucial book" (Baltimore Sun) and "undoubtedly one of the most important tools the African American parent can possess" (Kweisi Mfume, President NAACP).
Now, in response to enormous demand, the authors turn their attention to African American young women. Statistics indicate that African American females, as a group, fare poorly in the United States. Many live in single-parent households-either as the single-parent mother or as the daughter. Many face severe economic hurdles. Yet despite these obstacles, some are performing at exceptional levels academically. Based on interviews with many of these successful young women and their families, Overcoming the Odds provides a wealth of information about how and why they have succeeded--what motivates them, how their backgrounds and family relationships have shaped them, even how it feels to be a high academic achiever. They also discuss the challenges of moving into African American womanhood, from maintaining self-esteem to making the right choices about their professional and personal lives. Most important, the book offers specific and inspiring examples of the practices, attitudes, and parenting strategies that have enabled these women to persevere and triumph.
For parents, educators, policy makers, and indeed all those concerned about the education of young African American women, Overcoming the Odds is an invaluable guidebook on creating the conditions that lead to academic-and lifelong-success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reporting a Sucess Story
The previous commentator confuses reporting a success story with self promotion.In addition, she suggests that other students are treated as an after thought. Yet the aggregate data suggests otherwise, as the general average SAT, graduation rate, acceptance rate to premier graduate schools, etc.by "all" students has risen dramatically at UMBC in the past ten years.

Dr. Hrabowski hardly needs to do anycareer saving moves.To the contrary, the Baltimore community is doing everything it can to keep the voracious head hunters at bay as many other universities have been trying to lure him away.

I also know Dr, Hrabowski personally and have witnessed him interact with inner city kids and truly inspire them to greater heights.Never have I heard him suggest that others are not able.On the other hand, he is a realist and certainly is aware that life's circumstances have prepared some to be more successful than others.

IMHO, Ms. Grayson's book review is at heart an ad hominine attack on one of the leading educators in the nation.She obviously does have an axe to grind.
... Read more

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Through an analysis of classic slave narratives in comparison with texts such as the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, this study presents a new paradigm for the social character of the African American autobiography. Since the rise of Black Studies in the late 1960s, leading critics have constructed black lives and letters as antitheses to the ways and writings of mainstream culture. That position fosters the notion that black autobiography differs radically from heroic white American tales. But this volume argues that the African American autobiography is a continuation of the epic tradition, and that African Americans have shared and shaped the American experience. ... Read more

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5 Bible lessons based on African American Spirituals for adults of all agesIncludes lyrics, Bible verses, insightful interpretation, focus questions, and more. ... Read more

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Mary Had a Baby: An Advent Study Based on African American Spirituals is the second in Cokesbury's Spiritual Bible Study series begun by Plenty Good Room: A Bible Study Based on African American Spirituals. The Spiritual Bible Study series provides the opportunity for small groups to learn more about the Spirituals and their connection to the Bible while deepening faith and knowledge in a fun, communal, and interactive setting.

Mary Had a Baby contains four sessions, one for each week of Advent. Each session is made up of the lyrics and recorded music of a Spiritual, the historical context of that Spiritual, reference to the related Scripture and discussion questions and suggested activities.

The four Spirituals featured in Mary Had a Baby are:

For additional African American resources, visit www.africanamerican.cokesbury.com.

Customer Reviews (1)

firstlady
This is a participant study guide. The pictures are wonderful and it is a marvelous tool to use during Advent. It would helpful for children to use and develop an appreciation for spiritual and their connection to the Christmas story. ... Read more

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Provides guidelines for the Adult student book (separate item #9780687332748).

This leader guide includes lyrics, Bible verses, helpful instructions, suggestions, and helps for classroom organization. Comes with CD containing five African American Spirituals.

For additional African American resources, visit www.africanamerican.cokesbury.com/.