African American Males in School and Society

In this groundbreaking and timely volume Vernon Polite and James Earl Davis have brought together the perspectives and research findings of eminent scholars who study the educational and social lives of African American males. The result is a volume that brims with new outlooks and viewpoints-a refreshing departure from pervasive and oftentimes stereotypical literature about the African American male experience-and gives the reader access to prevalent issues affecting this population today. Thoughtful attention is paid to broader outcomes such as educational attainment, job procurement, and quality of life. These topics are discussed against the backdrop of student background and schooling with the overall aim of improving the academic and social outcomes of this population.

Chapters range from explorations into identifying giftedness and responsive teaching styles to educating African American males in the suburbs. The contributors to this volume offer differing methodologies and foci to document how the social and educational worlds of African American males cross, and the editors suggest policy implications that derive from these studies. This eloquent, engaging, and accessible volume has much to offer its readers and is especially important to people concerned with the well-being of African American boys and men.

Vernon Polite is an associate professor and coordinator of graduate programs in educational administration at the Catholic University of America. James Earl Davis is an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware.