I've had the pleasure for the past year, to read a few books that have opened my eyes to education in the States and how it affects Black Americans. These books cover a number of topics from socioeconomic upbringing to the sorting procedures schools undertake to place students in different tracked classes.
First Class: The Legacy of Dunbar, America's First Black Public High School by Alison Stewart narrates the rise and fall of Dunbar High School. While reading First Class, It amazed me how the school had top notched faculty and rigorous academic instruction due to the segregated education systems in the United States. I include this as a recommendation for others to read because it shows how the Black faculty inspired Dunbar students to achieve their own dreams.
Some of you may be familiar with Marva Collins from the two 60 Minutes segments visiting her class and following her former students. There was also a movie starring Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman called The Marva Collins Story which detailed the inception of her school. Her book, Marva Collins' Way, discusses her life, the history of U.S. education, and provides teachers as well as parents how to ensure that their children get a first-rate education. Collins discusses how black students are wrongfully placed in special education and low track classes because of certain beliefs that teachers have about the students. Also Collins mentions that every child has great potential but the public schools may squash that by harming the students self image.
I'm still in the middle of reading this book, but so far it discusses the ins and out of tracking. The book begins with how the idea of tracking came into U.S. school institutions in the 1920's due to the wave of European Immigrants and the rise in factory work. After schools became integrated, black students found themselves disproportionately tracked into low track classes which strongly affected if the student would be adequately prepared for college. It also discusses how low track classes just expect students to conform while high track classes emphasize leadership traits like creativity, problem solving skills, and critical thinking skills.
From what I've read so far, Lareau makes it seem like upbringing is the only factor or the prevalent factor that can explain the achievement gap between races. Perhaps my views will change once I read the book in its entirety.
Did you know that the era of school desegregation has ended? This book discusses the community that went to court to overturn the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling.
I hope you've found these titles to be interesting and perhaps pique your interest in the history of U.S. public education.
I hope you've found these titles to be interesting and perhaps pique your interest in the history of U.S. public education.