Status of Blacks in Education

Report in NEA Series on Underserved Groups

A Report on the Status of Blacks in Education—Moving Beyond Barriers: Strategies for Black Student Success in the 21st Century (2008) is one in a series of reports that draw on proceedings of national summits (see more below) that bring together researchers, national leaders, and NEA members to discuss the problems experienced by underserved groups in education and promising strategies for change in policy and practice.

A Report on the Status of Blacks in Education (  PDF, 4098 KB, 78 pp) (Note: this file may take a long time to load) opens with a pictorial timeline on Black education and includes a comprehensive overview of each challenge area, pertinent statistics, NEA actions, and strategic recommendations from the experts.  

The report contains the following content:

Historical Milestones in Black Education
A timeline mapping the history of Blacks in the United States, simultaneously addressing the legacy of historical injustices that have led to the state of current education.

Focus Area: Closing the Achievement Gap
Current issues within the education system that contribute to the Black-White disparity that needs to undergo dire remedies.

Focus Area: Educating Black Males
Statistics and recommendations for educators, policy makers, parents/guardians, and community organizations about the importance of improving the status of Black males in society.

Focus Area: High School Dropout Prevention
Statistics and recommendations to put plans in place for dropout prevention.

Looking to the Future: Conclusion

Resources

Other Reports in the NEA Series

» A Report on the Status of Hispanics in Education  (2006) (  PDF, 635 KB, 90pp)

» Status of American Indians & Alaska Natives in Education (2005) (  PDF, 1,825 KB, 54pp)

» A Report on the Status of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Education (2005) (  PDF, 604 KB, 46pp)

National summits: In June 2007, National Education Association hosted its first "National Summit on the Status of Black Education." The Summit brought together over 100 key leaders from academia, communities, and industry - and NEA members - to discuss what can be done to address top issues facing today's Black students and youth. Through a series of moderated discussions, summit participants, special guests, and a panel of experts worked to outline policy recommendations and practical strategies for addressing three top challenges in the education of today's Black students: closing Black student achievement gaps, educating Black males, and high-school dropout prevention.