Creating Caring and Nurturing Educational Environments for African American Children

(Hardback)

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The history of the education of African American children in one Alabama town is reconstructed over a period of 100 years, from the First Reconstruction period to the Second Reconstruction period (Governor George Wallace's stand in the schoolhouse door). Lessons learned from this case study, in addition to 15 years of desegregated education in the community, provides a perspective for educational policymakers to consider, as they attempt to plan effective schools in the 21st century for all children in America. Many have viewed segregated schools for African American students as dens of educational pathology with poor teachers and administrators, poorly operated academic programs and activities, dilapidated school buildings, and scarce resources. Until the last two decades, little had been written about the internal functioning of these schools or the positive impact of their efforts from the perspective of their students, families, teachers, or administrators. Despite being underfunded, understaffed, and issued second-hand books and equipment, this school and community worked together, as did many other African American schools and communities, to create effective schooling for children. This study addresses four major questions: (1) What kinds of educational experiences did teachers and principals view as important for the successful education of African American children (2) How did the school interact with parents and the community (3) How did the educational environment change when African American children began attending desegregated schools (4) What can we learn from this successful school for African American children as well as their experiences in the desegregated setting that will provide a perspective for educational policymakers as we plan effective schools for all children in this country The findings from this case study present a perspective on which educational policymakers can build as we plan caring, nurturing, and equitable learning environments for children in schools in all communities.

Reviews

"[Morris and Morris] provide a view of African American history that has been neglected in current and past educational literature.... It is a testament to not only the dedicated educators at Trenholm High School, but to the thousands of similar educators throughout the South.... [This book] should be required reading for all aspiring educators. It offers a unique insight into effective strategies for successfully motivating and challenging not just African American students, but all students."-Julie B. Williams Executive Principal, Hunters Lane High School Nashville, Tennessee
"[Their] work shows intense and persistent research efforts.... How great to put such authentic history into the hands of today's young people who aspire to create caring and nurturing educational environments for all of our children!"-Barbara J. Anthony Retired Associate Professor of Education Alabama A&M University Normal, Alabama
"A good read, this history of the Trenholm High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama--home town of Helen Keller--is clearly organized with summaries and findings that reconstruct the living organism of one successful Black school.... At long last, a book that asks how did the healthy get that way' instead of a treatise on failure in the schools.... It adds to the body of knowledge supporting separate schools for African American children at a time when Charter Schools and Institutes for Black youth abound."-Mildred Lane Berg Professor, Early Childhood Education Community College of Philadelphia
"The authors are to be commended for the extensive time consuming research, a history that is extremely valuable to today's educators and community leaders, the related experiences which are expressions of a great culture that still exists, the descriptions of dedicated leaders who are perfect role models for today's leaders, the well told experience of the perservering but harmonious desegregation movement, and the depiction of the relationships that existed between school, families, and the community. The events described and the outcomes are critical to our present day experiences among our educators, parents, and community leaders.... Creating Caring and Nurturing Educational Environments for African American Children is an outstanding model for all of us and should be utilized by every elementary, middle, secondary, and college educator today."-Elizabeth R. Lane Educational Consultant Memphis, Tennessee
"The authors have compiled an impressive amount of information on the education of African American children in a small Southern city before, during, and after desegregation. By good utilization of old newspaper files, board of education records, interviews, and other sources, they were able to write a detailed history of a black school in Tuscumbia, Alabama, from its beginning in 1877 to its closing in 1969 under a federal court order. This book is a valuable addition to the history of education in Alabama and its story should be of interest also to educators throughout the country."-Richard C. Sheridan, Editor Journal of Muscle Shoals History
"The authors not only write well, but they also write with passion. In brief, they care and that is what creates a caring school.... All educators can learn from the lessons this book about Trenholm High School will teach--if we will listen."-Phillip Schlechty President and CEO, Center for Leadership in School Reform
"The authors provide a powerful and compelling account of effective schooling in segregated America. This book is a must for anyone who is seriously interested in effective schooling in segregated America and should be included in teacher training programs throughout the country. It is through books of this nature that we capture the true essence of the historical and cultural dimensions of public education in America. It is one of the richest and most compelling books I have read."-Nathan L. Essex, Dean College of Education The University of Memphis
"The book makes a strong case for substantive changes in the preparation of teachers, and of policy makers as well. Additionally, it makes a strong case for treating African American educational history as a unique part of American educational history. I consider it essential reading for teacher educators, public school administrators, public school policy makers, and all who are interested in the future of 'care and nurturing' as a feature of the educational environment of all children."-Leon Frazier Vice-President for Administrative Services Alabama State University
"This book is a perfect blend of a case study of an effective school and examples of what it takes to provide and maintain a positive learning climate for children.... It clearly and succinctly illustrates how a village can raise a child in creative, caring, nurturing, and supportive ways."-Stephen B. Graves Professor, Childhood/Language Arts University of South Florida
"This book is one that will give valuable insights to parents, soon to be parents, and all who have or will have a loved one to enter and be educated in a public school.... I feel that Creating Caring and Nurturing Educational Environments for African American Children is a reflection of the past, [a] mirror of the present, and hope for the future of American public schools."-Deborah J. Jones Principal, Plano (TX) Independent School District
"This is ([and] should be) recommended reading for all of us as educators and learners to revisit our own school experiences, reinforce what we believe and know is best for children, but, at the same time, realize we are living in a different world, a different time and in a society and among communities of varying makeups.... This book gives us some ideas for a foundation on which to continue and build."-Mary R. Carlson Principal, Bay Ridge Elementary School Chattanooga, Tennessee
"When we consider the large depersonalized schools of this day, this book, Creating Caring and Nurturing Educational Environments for African American Children provides a model school for preventing violence, increasing the value of education, and connecting the youth of today to society in a relevant and productive way, not only for African American children but children of all races and cultures."-Stephen M. Baker Executive Director, Commission on Elementary and Middle Schools

Author Bio

VIVIAN GUNN MORRIS is Professor of Education, Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership, the University of Memphis. CURTIS L. MORRIS is Accountability Specialist, Department of Research, Standards, and Accountability, Memphis City Schools.