Blacks
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Find useful information about the nation’s historically black colleges and universities
- White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities partners with the National Board for Professional Teaching and Standards to discuss teacher education programs.
- Civil Rights Coalition Applauds Historic Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- National Urban League President, Marc Morial, Appointed to Chair Census 2010 Advisory Committee.
- President Van Roekel joins Education Secretary Duncan and civil rights for closing achievement gaps rally.
Blacks have a rich history of survival, determination, and accomplishment. Nowhere is this more evident than in the pursuit of education. Throughout history, Blacks have sought to ensure that each generation exceeds the previous in educational attainment.
In spite of decades of slavery and often at great peril, Blacks sought literacy as a source of and means to freedom.
During the years of separate-but-equal education, Blacks persevered in educating their children in churches that served as schools, at all-Black schools in the heart of their communities, and in the establishment of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
During the slow integration of America's schools, Blacks found that they had to fight to keep the positions of qualified Black teachers and administrators and advocate vigorously for the equal educational opportunities of Black children within these integrated schools.
As the direction of public education moved toward standards-based curriculum and high-stakes testing, Blacks faced a gap in student achievement on a variety of measures. This gap was exacerbated in high minority, high poverty schools in urban areas.
Today, the challenges facing Black children in America's schools are vast. In our neediest schools, there is little access to resources, qualified teachers, and a challenging curriculum.
In our more affluent schools, Black students still fall behind on a variety of student achievement measures, and those who do fare well must contend with the notion that they are "acting white." In the future, promoting educational achievement for Black children will come from all aspects of a Black community steeped in a tradition of struggle and poised for a future of promise.
| anc_dyn_links There are 36.8 million Blacks in America, representing 12.8 percent of the total population |
| anc_dyn_links Strengthening the family unit |
| anc_dyn_links The Black community faces educational issues similar to other minority groups |
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