New Emphases in the Education of Negroes

Abstract

A present-day study of the education of Negroes reveals several encouraging facts: 1. Among those who control the public purse strings there is a growing inclination to give Negroes an elementary and a secondary education in partial return for the taxes which are collected, both directly and indirectly, from Negro citizens. 2. The same professional standards for white and Negro teachers are being imposed. 3. There is the tacit admission that Negroes, wherever public funds permit, should have better-paid teachers, longer school terms, and better physical equipment. On the other hand, several serious problems face those who seek to improve the education of Negroes. These problems may be stated as follows: 1. How can American social education be re-directed and re-organized to include the Negro group as a vital and integral part of American society? 2. How can men and women learn to think scientifically about American education? 3. What are and what should be the new emphases in American education? The discussion which follows assumes that the encouraging elements will continue and that the problems, stated above, will be solved in proportion as thoughtful men and women of intelligence and good will apply themselves to bringing together the education of Negroes and the formulation of a sound theory of American social education.