More Resources Black History Month: Learning Resources 50 Years of Change: Census Data

NOTE TO EDITORS: As Americans celebrate "Black History Month," U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today released the following open letter to educators and parents, encouraging them to help children learn and appreciate the contributions African Americans have made to our nation. Please feel free to reprint this as a letter to the editor or an op-ed.

"Carter G. Woodson's dream of recognizing the contributions of African Americans became a reality in 1926 when Negro History Week was created. Decades later, this week long event has turned into an annual month long celebration known as "Black History Month." Every February, America observes Black History Month celebrating and honoring the many achievements and contributions made by African Americans to its economic, cultural, spiritual and political development.

"This year's Black History Month theme is the 50th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. This was a landmark decision that drastically changed this nation by overthrowing the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that had set the "separate but equal" precedent.

"The Brown litigation succeeded because of the courage and sacrifice of many people who were determined to bring this issue to the forefront of America's consciousness. The message of Brown v. Board was: separate schools are inherently unequal. The message of No Child Left Behind is: separate instruction—instruction that is based upon assumptions that certain children cannot learn—is inherently unequal. President Bush and I will not tolerate schools that don't expect all students to achieve to high standards.

"On Jan. 8, 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act became the education law of the land providing parents and children with the resources they need to ensure academic success. There is an educational achievement gap in this country, and No Child Left Behind is helping to close it. The law requires schools to monitor student performance, insuring that all students make adequate yearly progress toward the goal of 100 percent proficiency on state standards in mathematics and reading by 2013-14. The law also provides students with extra tutoring and after-school activities and allows students to transfer out of low-performing schools and into higher-performing ones. Also, students may transfer out of a school labeled "persistently dangerous" as defined by the individual state. Children can't learn if they don't feel safe.

"As we celebrate Black History Month, we are well-advised to look at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and reflect on the contributions those who attended these schools made to shaping this great nation. HBCUs provide students with learning experiences designed to develop their intellectual abilities, as well as their social, moral, cultural and ethical values. In so doing, HBCUs equip students with the skills, insights, attitudes and practical experiences that will help them to become well-rounded individuals. Many great leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, Thurgood Marshall and Langston Hughes attended HBCUs.

"I am a proud graduate of an HBCU, Jackson State, and taught at another one, Texas Southern University. I can honestly say that attending Jackson State and teaching at Texas Southern provided me with rewarding experiences that I will always cherish. The experiences I gained at these schools helped shape my future and brought me to where I am today.

"Please take the opportunity this month to help students and children of every ethnic background understand and appreciate the significance of Black History Month."

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