In thinking about education, it’s assumed that the reader might not have much background in the area.

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A couple of things that are useful to be familiar with include:

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• The Doll Study, an investigation into the self-images of African-American children was published in 1939-1940. Despite the widely held belief that race relations have improved substantially in the succeeding 80 years, every restaging leads to similar results.

• The pattern of African-American academic underachievement is nationwide. It is not the result of isolated “bad” situations.

• Young black males seem to be more adversely impacted than their female counterparts.

• There is a context, albeit fictional within which these events surrounding young black males can be understood; “The Wire.”

• The most innovative and perhaps successful development in American education since the mid-20th Century, “Sesame Street” was developed by non-education professionals.

 

Against the general pattern of dismal results, there have been a few examples of individuals and institutions that have achieved success:

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• Jaime Escalante a public school teacher was able to establish a calculus program among barrio students in East Los Angeles. He became nationally famous through the film “Stand & Deliver” (1989). Two years later conditions had deteriorated such that he left the Los Angeles school system.

• Elmont Memorial High School, a middle school, high school that overcame a classic “changing neighborhood” transition to maintain academic standards.

• Success Academy Charter Schools, starting in Harlem this charter school system, despite consistent opposition from mainstream educators, has enabled under-represented minority students to outperform their mainstream counterparts

 

On the sports side, there have been notable successes in schools being established by NBA players and in one case, by a franchise.

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• The Unseld School established in Baltimore by former NBA MVP and wife.

• Sacramento High School reorganized as a charter by former Sacramento Mayor and NBA All-Star, Kevin Johnson.

• Chicago Bulls College Prep that has a decade of sending 100% of its graduates to college.

• Jalen Rose Leadership Academy founded by former NBA player and media personality in his old Detroit neighborhood.

• LeBron James I Promise Academy created by NBA MVP LeBron James in Akron, Ohio.

 

Against a prevailing attitude that nothing can be done, these individuals and institutions have managed to achieve a degree of success that can serve as a template for further advances.