2011 Articles

Transforming the field of education to serve the needs of the Black community: Implications for critical stakeholders

Sealey-Ruiz, Yolanda; Lewis, Chance

The field of education has been and will continue to be essential to the survival and sustainability of the Black community. Unfortunately, over the past five decades, two major trends have become clearly evident in the Black community: (a) the decline of the academic achievement levels of Black students and (b) the disappearance of Black teachers, particularly Black males. As we attempt to conceptualize the monumental impact of these trends on the Black community, it is critical for us to understand the historical significance of this special issue of The Journal of Negro Education and why it is needed at this critical time. It is only through our understanding of the historical significance of this special issue that we can truly move forward to improve the sustainability of the Black community