Editorial Review
This critical analysis looks at the disproportionate number of African American males in special education. Arguing that the problem is race and gender driven, questions covered include Why does Europe send more females to special education? Why does America lead the world in giving children Ritalin? Is there a relationship between sugar, Ritalin, and cocaine? and Is there a relationship between special education and prison? More than 100 strategies to help teachers and parents keep black boys in the regular classroom, such as revising teacher expectations, increasing parental involvement, changing teaching styles from a left-brain abstract approach to a right-brain hands-on approach, redoing the curriculum, understanding the impact of mass media, and fostering healthy eating habits.
Cached date: AWS Called=true
Customer Reviews
Full of good advice about ALL boys and special education 
2006-06-21
While Jawanza Kunjufu, an author of nearly two dozen books, writes primarily for an African-American audience, this book is full of good observations about boys in special education in general.
There is a growing concern about the number of boys in special education as compared to girls. Kunjufu joins more established authors such as Christina Hoff Sommers ('The War Against Boys')and Michal Guiran ('Boys and Girls Learn Differently') in pointing out that there is something wrong out there in the world of education as far as boys are concerned.
Kunjufu gives wonderful advice about the questions parents should ask if they are brought in to the school to discuss placing their student into special education. His suggestions include signing nothing until you completely understand it, insisting on seeing what modifications have been done up to this point (unfortunately, some teachers have the reputation of referring every student who does not learn quickly from that teacher's ONE teaching style for special education services) and asking for a different assessment test (it is your right) - scores can vary widely from one test to the next.
His best advice comes in the area of the IEP, or Individualized Education Plan. All special education students must have one and most are vague. He insists on specificity and the book is worth the purchase price just for this chapter alone - both for the prospective special education parent and the special education teacher.
Kunjufu's target audience is African-American, as I've already said. I am not, so some passages were not really aimed at me. I was not comfortable with Kunjufu's seemingly equating inner-city poverty with African-American culture in general. As he points out in the beginning of the book, that this is a stereotype. However, he reinforces that stereotype over and over again. It could be that he is really targeting that segment of the African-American population... Like I said, I don't know.
Regardless of my comfort level with certain passages, this is a must read if your student is being referred for special edcuation services. It is a quick and practical read with a clear table of contents to get you quickly to the IEP and Parent Empowerment sections and room for notes in the back.
I give this book a grade of A
Keeping Black Boys Out of Spec. Ed. is a must read 2007-09-07
Every parent, educator, school board member, etc. should read this book. I have been in education for over 20 years, and I can say with no hesitation that Mr. Kunjufu is on the mark with this book.
Thanks Again 2007-01-12
This book provided as much insight as I needed to adress the topic I had been researching. Very useful
Opens your eyes and mind 
2006-11-10
I brought this book because it is very revelent. The book is Afro- centric. In some was has a strong 60's type message and tone. The facts are true, candid and thought provoking. I highly recommend the sections on how to deal with the school system as an advocate for the child as well the sections on developing the child's self esteem. The recommendations in the book do work.It's a good book for educators and African American families regardless of your child's grades. I highly recommend it.
Solve the Public Education Crisis with this Book 2006-07-09
I have been a student of Jawanza Kunjufu's writings since college, his books and presentations have been a critical part of my development as an educator, entrepreneur and mentor to students.
Keeping Black Boys Out of Special Education not only presents the facts about the low expections and unfair treatment of African-American boys in public schools, but it also provides solutions. The solution that is most important is that African American parents must become involved in the education of our youth. Schedule several conferences and visits to your child's school and hold the teachers, administrators, the child and yourself accountable to the education of your student.
I recommend this book and all the books written by Jawanza Kunjufu to anyone who is interested in the education of youth and more specifically, African American youth.
Linsey Mills
Author of Simply Outrageous
simpyoutrageous.org
An excellent resource for African-American parents with Male students 2006-07-03
The teachers who do not reside within the same urban areas of the public schools should read this book. This book confirmed my suspicions about the Teaching styles of Teachers who do not understand how to teach the African-American male students.
When I first visited my son's classroom, I made a mental note to view the boards for educational material. However, after reading "Keeping Black Boys Out of Special Education", I witnessed how the educational boards only reflected Caucasian references. There were no references attributed to African-Americans or Latinos, which made up 90% of the classroom. I agree with the author that there should be more Afro-centric educational systems within the urban area, but it is these African-American school administrators who would feel more threatened about adopting such educational centers or programs.
I used this book as a resource for the meetings with my son's Teachers. After reading this book, I have decided to take my son out of the public school system and enroll him in a private educational institution. Although private school is not the answer to all, but least there is some sort of accountability and I can have a more active role in the school's decision process for educating the children. The public school system needs a major renovation in order to secure the future of the African American students. I am not suggesting for the removal of these ineffective Teachers, but at least have the Teachers (all ethnic groups, including the African-American or Latino Teachers) go through a de-sensitizing program so they become aware of the culture of the African-American students within an urban area.
