The National Alliance of Black School Educators’ Task Force III, chaired by Dean Jay Cummings recently completed a study designed to identify research-based best practices associated with excellent outcomes of instruction for learners of African Descent.

The study population included parents, administrators, community, business and religious leaders, and teachers in participating Texas NABSE Task Force III Demonstration Schools/Communities. A modified Delphi approach was employed. Practices believed to have contributed to excellent outcomes of instruction for learners of African descent were elicited and ranked. Each ranked practice was designated as having made an extremely important, important or minor contribution to excellent outcomes of schooling for learners of African descent. A mean was computed for each ranked practice. Practices with the highest means were identified and designated as practices believed to have made extremely important contributions to outcomes of instruction. Those practices are presented in the report.

In presenting the report, Dr. Cummings stated that “The experiences, challenges and opportunities for educational renewal, academic performance, and self-worth enhancements captured in Cultural and Educational Excellence Revisited: Knowing, Doing, Being and Becoming as Though Saving the African American Child Matters are provocative, notable, and noble. The examples compel educators who are passionate, productive, and committed to act rather than react. In the chapter entitled ‘Unfinished Business,’” Dr. Cummings went on, “the authors recommend the following actions for educators who would serve and lead:

‘Assumptions of white supremacy in the context of schooling must be challenged when they influence what students learn, what teachers teach, how schools are managed, and how educational policy is formulated, approved, as well as implemented;

‘Models for practice based effective schools, successful teaching and research results must be identified and developed; and

‘Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to take on the challenge of offering an education to our children that is academically and culturally excellent, even when the odds are against us.’”

The study population included parents, administrators, community, business and religious leaders, and teachers in participating Texas NABSE Task Force III Demonstration Schools/Communities. A modified Delphi approach was employed. Practices believed to have contributed to excellent outcomes of instruction for learners of African descent were elicited and ranked. Each ranked practice was designated as having made an extremely important, important or minor contribution to excellent outcomes of schooling for learners of African descent. A mean was computed for each ranked practice. Practices with the highest means were identified and designated as practices believed to have made extremely important contributions to outcomes of instruction. Those practices are presented in this report.

The study population included parents, administrators, community, business and religious leaders, and teachers in participating Texas NABSE Task Force III Demonstration Schools/Communities. A modified Delphi approach was employed. Practices believed to have contributed to excellent outcomes of instruction for learners of African descent were elicited and ranked. Each ranked practice was designated as having made an extremely important, important or minor contribution to excellent outcomes of schooling for learners of African descent. A mean was computed for each ranked practice. Practices with the highest means were identified and designated as practices believed to have made extremely important contributions to outcomes of instruction. Those practices are presented in this report.

The study population included parents, administrators, community, business and religious leaders, and teachers in participating Texas NABSE Task Force III Demonstration Schools/Communities. A modified Delphi approach was employed. Practices believed to have contributed to excellent outcomes of instruction for learners of African descent were elicited and ranked. Each ranked practice was designated as having made an extremely important, important or minor contribution to excellent outcomes of schooling for learners of African descent. A mean was computed for each ranked practice. Practices with the highest means were identified and designated as practices believed to have made extremely important contributions to outcomes of instruction. Those practices are presented in this report.

The full report was presented and discussed at the 2007 Annual Meting of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators held in Austin, Texas during the period 31 January – 03 February 2007. Jay R. Cummings, PhD., Dean, College of Education, James A. Johnson, Jr., PhD, Emiel Owens, PhD, and Danita Bailey-Perry, PhD,. all in the College of Education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, comprised the research team.

Texas Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI), the North Central Association’s Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI), and the National Society for the Study of Education (NSSE) have entered into a historic merger to provide professional services and accreditation for P-12 schools and school districts in 33 states and 65 countries according to Jay Cummings, Dean and Professor in the College of Education.

Dr. Jay Cummings has been appointed as a Founding Board member for the yet to be named newly minted association that will have a major input on schools and school districts seeking to validate client services that are excellent, equitable, and legitimate.  This merger has significant implications and potentialities for educational practitioners, leaders, and policy makers. 

Dr. Thurman W. Robins, Chairperson of the Health & Kinesiology Department attended a Health Symposium sponsored by McGraw Hill Publishers in Santa FE, New Mexico on March 9-12, 2006.

The Department of Health & Kinesiology completed its 11th Annual “Fun Run” on March 15, 2006.  The “Fun Run” was a tremendous success with over 40 students participating.  Monies raised will go towards awarding Department Book Scholarships to Health & Kinesiology Majors. 

Dr. Samuel Osueke, Professor in the Health & Kinesiology Department presented a paper at the Education Research Conference in Beaumont, Texas on March 30-31, 2006. His presentation was entitled “Management of HIV/AIDS in selected sub-Saharan African countries: The untapped resources.”

Dean Jay Cummings, Dean, College of Education reported that students, staff, faculty, and instructional administrators testified at the hearing to oppose the consolidation of the Texas Southern University/Houston Independent School District Laboratory School in the Cuney Homes.  As a supportive and active partner in this unique educational model for an urban setting, representatives from the university described commitments made to the school through instruction, technology, staff development, technical assistance, and services for students and the community.  The school board will take a note on the proposed at its next meeting, Thursday, April 13, 2006. 

Dr. Claudette Merrell Ligons, Professor in the department of Curriculum and Instruction is pleased to announce the publication of this article: Ligons, C. and Ashford, A. (Spring/2006).  “Size of our world:  The aftermath of hurricane Katrina.”  Journal of Urban Education Focus on Enrichment, 3(3), 8-13.  The core of the article is a set of letters that were written by Ashford’s 7-8 year old students to persons whose lives were affected by hurricane Katrina.  The U.S. respondents to the children’s letters include two students from New Orleans who enrolled at the TSU/HISD Lab School, a student from W.A.L.L.I.P. Academy for Boys, and a TSU student who transferred from Dillard University after the hurricane. 

Dr. Samuel Osueke, Professor in the Health and Kinesiology Department research paper has been accepted for presentation at the 2006 Lamar University Education Research. The paper is titled: “Management of HIV/AIDS in Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries-An Untapped Resource.”  This paper is co-authored by Ms. Esther I. Orji, M.Ed., B. Ed., A.C.E., Program Co -coordinator New Hope Counseling Center, Inc. The conference is scheduled for March 30-31, 2006. Please feel free to contact me at (713)313-7979 for additional information.

Recently, Dr. Claudette Merrell Ligons, Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Mrs. Avril Ashford and Dr. Renata Nero submitted a book chapter titled, The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Lives of Children.  The book—The Effects of Hurricane Katrina on Children’s Education—will be published May 1, 2006.  Mrs. Ashford is a teacher at Pickhurst Junior School in Kent, England and Dr. Renata Nero is Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department at Houston Baptist University.         

On March 3, 2006, Dr. S. Nina Saha-Gupta presented at the TABSE conference.  The title of the presentation was “Differentiated Instruction:  Academic Success For all Learners With and Without Disabilities.”

On February 17, 2006, Dr. S. Nina Saha-Gupta presented at the National Association for African American Studies.  The title of the presentation was “Differentiated Instruction: Paving the Way to Inclusive Classrooms.”

On February 6, 2006, Dr. S. Nina Saha-Gupta submitted a paper to the Journal of Urban

Education and it has been accepted for publication.  The title of the paper is “Parental Participation: A Study of Urban and Suburban Parents of Children with Disabilities.”

*Dr. James A. Johnson, Jr. (Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education) was appointed chair person of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (TABSE) Research Institute.  In that role, Dr. Johnson will manage the peer review of research papers submitted to the TABSE Research Institute Managing Committee (TRIMAC).  He will also serve as moderator of the TABSE Research Institute to be held at the TABSE 21^st Annual Conference in Houston, Texas.

*Dr. James A. Johnson, Jr., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Education; Dr. Emiel Owens, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Administration and Foundations; and Mr. Jafus Cavil, Doctoral Student, Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, presented a paper titled, “Using Survival Techniques to Model When Students Dropout of High School” at the Southwest Educational Research Association 28^th Annual Conference in Austin, Texas on Friday, February 10, 2006.

*Dr. James A. Johnson, Jr. and Mrs. Melanie Johnson a Doctoral Candidate in the College of Education presented a Research Report titled, “Causedeyrollsdereyes: Having the Backs of Learners of African Descent Left Behind” at the 14^th Annual Conference of the National Association of African American Studies held in Baton Rouge, LA.

*Dr. James A. Johnson, Jr. served as Special Guest Facilitator at the Lighthouse Center’s 1^st Annual Legacy Film Series.  The program was presented at Hightower High School on February 16, 2006 and hosted by the Hightower High School Student Council.  Participating were student leaders from Thurmond Marshall High School, Willowridge High School, Dulles High School, Elkins High School and Hightower High School.  The goals of the film series are to focus students on justice, equality and diversity with respect to them as individuals, their role in social institutions such as the school, the family, and religious institutions, and problems encountered by their parents, grandparents, etc.; the tools used to solve those problems and problems that the students are likely to face in the future.  This discussion was driven by the presentation of the film “A Place at the Table: Struggles for Equality in America.”

*Dr. Quintana and Dr. Biris, Assistant Professor of Education (EC-4) presented their article publication entitled “Current Issues in Bilingual Education of Pre K-12 Students in Texas” at the National Association of African American Studies (NAAAS), the 14^th Annual Conference on February 14, 2006 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The article will be available in the Journal of Urban Education in the Spring 2006 volume.

*Head Volleyball Coach and Health and Kinesiology Instructor, Dwalah L. Fisher was one of eight Division I head coaches to be selected to attend the NCAA Division I Womens Volleyball Championship Youth Education through Sports (YES) clinic held in San Antonio, Texas on December 14-17, 2005. 

The YES Clinic is a program sponsored by the National Youth Sports Corporation to enhance the volleyball and life skills of young girls 8 to 17 years of age.  Mrs. Fisher was the only coach to be selected for two consecutive years, first as a clinician and then as an advisor to student-athletes. 

Accompanying Mrs. Fisher on the trip were two members of the Texas Southern Womens Volleyball Team, sophomore Nicole Crane and freshman Krystal Obi.  This year’s theme of the championship was “Year of the Student-Athlete.”  YES Clinic participants received skill instructions from the student-athletes, while coaches served as the advisors.  This was a great experience for Coach Fisher and the student-athletes to interact with over 400 young girls in and around the San Antonio area.

Mr. Lacey Reynolds, a doctoral student in the department of Health and Kinesiology has been appointed to The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) to become the Official Observer of Men and Women Basketball Officials for Prairie View A&M University during the 2006 Basketball Season.  Mr. Reynolds will meet with both SWAC Official Crews and help conduct/assist/critique pre-game and post-game conferences and complete an assessment within 24 hours of each basketball game at involving Prairie View A&M University home SWAC schedule for the 2006.

In February of 2006, Dr. Tyrone Tanner, Assistant Professor in the COE received notification that his proposal presentation was accepted to the “International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Community, and Nations.”  The paper is entitled, “Educational Leadership Challenges: What Principals Say Concern Them about their Job.”  This qualitative case study sought to explore challenges of the urban school principal.  Currently, the paper is being reviewed for publication in The International Journal of Diversity.

On January 10, 2006, Dr. Tyrone Tanner, Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations submitted an article for review to the Journal of the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration: School Leadership Review.  The paper was entitled, “Challenges to School Leadership: The impact of Hurricane Katrina”.  The purpose of this research was to explore the ramifications of Hurricane Katrina on the education system in the City of Houston, Texas. 

Dr. Tyrone Tanner’s proposal was accepted to the Society for Research in Adult Development conference in San Francisco 2006 (pre-conference for AERA).  The proposal was entitled, “Chinese American and African American parental influence on the academic achievement of their children.  The research addresses the historical, social, and political underpinnings of both groups and their respective confidence in America’s educational institutions.    

On January 24, 2006, Dr. Chandler and Ms. Tolley Reeves, Department of Education Curriculum and Instruction wanted to inform the College of Education about the ongoing programs and partnerships with the urban community:

• Acres Home Community Book Club/Collaboration with Houston Community College and Texas Southern University.
• Community Service.
• Develop an African American Studies Program at Houston Community College and in conjunction with Texas Southern University.

The Community Book Club sponsored by the Houston Community College Northeast Pinemont Book Club advisors are; Ms. Sheila Gary, Library Assistant /HCCS- NE Pinemont, Dr. Marilyn Douglas- Jones, Professor HCCS & TSU, Dr. Wallace Chandler, Department of Education, TSU and Ms. Tolley Reeves, Campus Librarian- HCCS, Doctoral Student, TSU.

Over the past two semesters, Ms. Reeves and staff at the Houston Community College- Northeast Pinemont Center Library have created basic computer courses, library activities and book discussions to assist the students, faculty, staff and the Northeast community.  The HCCS- Pinemont Center ERC (Library) has had an overwhelming response from the community to the services that the library has been offering.  Over the past several months, Ms. Reeves have developed a friendship with Mr. DeMar (Computer Instructor) from the Acres Home Community Center.  After careful evaluation of Mr. DeMar's students, it is evident that they have very low level reading skills.  Many of the students range in age from 30-70 years old.  Mr. DeMar and Ms. Reeves wanted to create some type of reading literacy program that would enhance the student's reading levels.  After careful consideration, they collectively decided on creating a community "Book Club."  The advisors of the HCCS- NE Pinemont Book Club felt that it should be an extension of the established book club.  The Pinemont Book Club at Houston Community College was established to provide a personal enrichment through reading and sharing.  There by expanding knowledge of various cultures and increasing and appreciation of diversity with respect for all humanity.  The goal of the book club is to encourage reading, expand knowledge of various cultures and shared life experiences.  With the permission of the Pinemont Book Club, Ms. Reeves was able to extend the club out into the community.  Ms. Reeves also asked Dr. Chandler to be an advisor to the "Book Club."  Under Dr. Chandler's direction, they were able to meet with Mr. DeMar on January 17^th, 2006 at the Acres Home Community Center to set up dates and times for the "Book Club" discussions.  As it stands, the Community Book Club will meet two Saturdays out of the month from 10:00am- 12:00pm, until mid May 2006.  The book discussions will be held at the Pinemont Center and at the Acres Home Community Center.  The advisory committee for the book club has decided to incorporate various reading materials into the discussion such as videos, book on tapes, CD's, print materials and additional supplemental materials that will accommodate the low level readers.

The Development of an African American Studies Program Summer 2005 – Present advisors are; Ms. Gary, Library Assistant /HCCS- NE Pinemont, Dr. Douglas- Jones, Professor HCCS & TSU, Dr. Chandler, Department of Education, Dr. Maurice Ekwo, Texas Southern University Advisor, and Ms. Reeves, Campus Librarian- HCCS /Doctoral Student, TSU.

Over the past three semesters, the advisors for this committee have collaborated on several strategies that would help to enhance and educate African American college students about their African Heritage.  Professor Dr. Douglas- Jones first brought this problem to our attention last year.  Prof. Douglas-Jones whom currently teaches at Houston Community College and Texas Southern University felt that many of her African American students lacked identity and cultural awareness.  Dr. Douglas-Jones expressed her feelings to Ms. Reeves about the crisis and asked if she had any suggestions.  At that point, Ms. Reeves consulted with Dr. Chandler and Dr. Ekwo for their expertise.  After careful consideration, Dr. Chandler decided to use my Summer 2005 Practicum as a staring point for this project.  Since then, all of the committee members have been working towards developing an African American Studies Program at Houston Community College.  Moreover, once this program is established, students transferring from Houston Community College to Texas Southern University can use these courses for core or electives.  The advisors will continue to work as a team to create a curriculum that is viable for the success of our African American students.