Black Boys Can Make it

This book dispels the myth that Black boys are synonymous with underachievement. It shows how a good many progress into universities, albeit against the odds, and discusses the implications for policy and practice on both sides of the Atlantic.There is abundant research on the underachievement of Black boys but little attention has been given to their positive achievement until this author's research in both countries. 'Black Boys Can Make It' follows black male students in the USA and UK who have successfully accessed higher education - at elite universities (Oxford and Harvard) and less selective institutions. It sets out to establish the extent to which they have been exposed to the factors known to correlate with the underachievement of Black male youths, and to identify the factors that have led to their educational success and influenced their access to and choice of universities. And it examines the barriers they found in their path and how they overcame them.Part One sets the educational scene in each country. Part Two looks at the obstacles they encountered, with chapters examining social class; parents' involvement in their sons' education; racism and racial identity; and the boys' own misbehaviour and negative attitudes. Part Three unravels the factors leading to success, devoting chapters to how parents steer their sons; the contributions of schools, teachers and community projects; the effect of religion; and the students' personal qualities and navigational tactics. Part Four reviews the processes of choosing and entering university and the final section looks at the implications for educational policy and practice.Here is a book that can be used as an essential guide to policy development but also as a practical tool for parents, teachers and Black boys themselves seeking to gain access to higher education.