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Life Histories of Principal and Teacher Activists: Developing Black High Schools in the United States

Fri, May 5, 4:15 to 5:45pm CDT (4:15 to 5:45pm CDT), SIG Virtual Rooms, Biographical and Documentary Research SIG Virtual Session Room

Session Type: Virtual Symposium

Abstract

After the Civil War, many state governments approved segregated public schools for Black children previously denied an education. However, White school district administrators did as little as possible to adhere to state mandates. Instead, African American communities formed social networks of ministers, attorneys, and doctors to ensure school districts adhered to the law. Once the district administrators opened Black schools, these same networks campaigned for Black teachers. It took a while to convince boards but once hired, Black principals and teachers provided their students with an appropriate public education. Understanding the challenging work required to achieve an education, these capable leaders met their goals and the community’s expectations. Their challenging work resulted in making the schools comparable to White institutions.

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