Change is Gonna Come
While many books decry the crisis in the schooling of African American children, they are often disconnected from the lived experiences and work of classroom teachers and principals. In Change Is Gonna Come, the authors look back to go forward, providing specific practices that K-12 literacy educators can use to transform their schools. The text addresses four major debates: the fight for access to literacy; supports and roadblocks to success; best practices, theories, and perspectives on...
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While many books decry the crisis in the schooling of African American children, they are often disconnected from the lived experiences and work of classroom teachers and principals. In Change Is Gonna Come, the authors look back to go forward, providing specific practices that K-12 literacy educators can use to transform their schools. The text addresses four major debates: the fight for access to literacy; supports and roadblocks to success; best practices, theories, and perspectives on teaching African American students; and the role of African American families in the literacy lives of their children. Throughout, the authors highlight the valuable lessons learned from the past and include real stories from their own diverse family histories and experiences as teachers, parents, and community members.
Foreword Carol D. Lee ixPreface xiAcknowledgments xixIntroduction: Hope, Literacy, and the State of African American Education Today 1"I Hate School": Low Literacy and Low Life Chances 4Narrow Definitions of Literacy and Literate Practices 6Factors That Confound Literacy Achievement 8Language Issues 9Moving Forward With Hope 121 The Fight for Access to Literacy 13Narrative Beginnings-Rev. M.T. Thompson: "Lifted from Red Clay by Red Words" 14The Fight for Access in a Contemporary Classroom-Elena: "I Don't Belong in Special Education, and I'm Not Staying There" 15Looking Back to Go Forward: A Historical Perspective 17Government Intervention 33The Struggle Continues 342 The Multiple Meanings of Success: Tensions, Conflicts, and Crises for African American Students 36Narrative Beginnings-Jennifer D. Turner: "Success Is Tryin' to Make It in Two Worlds" 36Stories from African American Elementary Students: Trying to Be "Cool" in Contemporary Classrooms 40Looking Back to Go Forward: Reclaiming the Meaning(s) of Success 43Multiple Meanings of Success 44Resisting School Success 46Reclaiming School Success 54The Struggle Continues 633 Teaching African American Students: Approaches and Best Practices 64Narrative Beginnings-Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon: Confidence + Culture Shock = Double Consciousness 64A Contemporary Success Story-David Benjamin McMillon: "I'm a Brotha' Who Can Dance, Play the Drums, and Win the Science Fair" 67Looking Back to Go Forward: Teaching Other People's Children 71Best Practices for Teaching African American Students 80Best Practices for Preparing Teachers to Teach African American Students 87The Struggle Continues 924 Village or Villain: The Role of African American Families 93Narrative Beginnings-Patricia A. Edwards: "A Family That Values Education" 93A Contemporary Narrative: Literacy Learning Across Generations 97Looking Back to go Forward: The Beginning of Parent Involvement in the United States 98African American Parents' Responsibilities for Their Children 101The American Family: A Changing Institution 109Poverty and the Changing American Family 111Struggling with Children and Parents 114Dealing with Families: A Double Standard 119Parents are Not All the Same 123Learning About Cultural Issues Involving Families and Communities 127The Need to Build Teams and Networks: The Struggle Continues 1305 The Road to Redemption: Moving from Victims to Victors 132Narrative Beginnings-Pat, Gwen, and Jen Committed to Making a Difference: "All of Us Are Smarter Than One of Us" 132Contemporary Teachable Moments: Learning to Share 133Looking Back to Go Forward: Summary of the Four Debates 135Taking Steps to Build and Maintain a Healthy Village 136A Call to Action: Am I My Brother's Keeper? 162References 165Index 189About the Authors 201
