Introduction: Hope, Literacy, and the State of African American Education Today
"I Hate School": Low Literacy and Low Life Chances
Narrow Definitions of Literacy and Literate Practices
Factors That Confound Literacy Achievement
Language Issues
Moving Forward with Hope
The Fight for Access to Literacy
Narrative Beginnings / Rev. M.T. Thompson: "Lifted from Red Clay by Red Words"
The Fight for Access in a Contemporary Classroom / Elena: "I Don't Belong in Special Education, and I'm Not Staying There"
Looking Back to Go Forward: A Historical Perspective
Government Intervention
The Struggle Continues
The Multiple Meanings of Success: Tensions, Conflicts, and Crises for African American Students
Narrative Beginnings / Jennifer D. Turner: "Success is Tryin' to Make It in Two Worlds"
Stories from African American Elementary Students: Trying to Be "Cool" in Contemporary Classrooms
Looking Back to go Forward: Reclaiming the Meaning(s) of Success
Multiple Meanings of Success
Resisting School Success
Reclaiming School Success
The Struggle Continues
Teaching African America Students: Approaches and Best Practices
Narrative Beginnings-Gwendolyn Thompson McMillon: Confidence + Culture Shock=Double Consciousness
A Contemporary Success Story-David Benjamin McMillon: "I'm a Brotha' Who Can Dance, Play the Drums, and Win the Science Fair"
Looking Back to Go Forward: Teaching Other People's Children
Best Practices for teaching African American Students
Best Practices for Preparing Teachers to Teach African American Students
The Struggle Continues
Village or Villain: The Role of African American Families
Narrative Beginnings-Patricia A. Edwards: "A Family That Values Education"
A Contemporary Narrative: Literacy Learning Across Generations
Looking Back to Go Forward: The Beginning of Parent Involvement in The United States
African American Parent's Responsibilities for Their Children
The American Family: A Changing Institution
Poverty and the Changing American Family
Struggling with Children and Parents
Dealing with Families: A Double Standard
Parents Are Not All the Same
Learning About Cultural Issues
Involving Families and Communities
The Need to Build Teams and Networks: The Struggle Continues
The Road to Redemption: Moving from Victims to Victors
Narrative Beginnings-Pat, Gwen, and Jen Committed to Making a Difference: 'All of Us Are Smarter Than One of Us"
Contemporary Teachable Moments: Learning to Share
Looking Back to Go Forward: Summary of the Four Debates
Taking Steps to Build and Maintain a Healthy Village
A Call to Action: Am I My Brother's Keeper?