"They did not think they needed to be involved in the teaching process for their children to learn. The role of parents is apparently limited to putting pressure on teachers to do their job of teaching well; that is, limited to pushing teachers and other school personnel to educate their children," according to Ogbu's description of Black parent beliefs.
No matter the outcome of the Supreme Court's Michigan affirmative action case, the dilemma facing the Black community, at all economic levels, on education ought to motivate individual families to take a harder look at the intellectual development of their children. While recommending school reforms where necessary, Ogbu clearly advocates that individuals and communities grapple with "community forces," or attitudes and practices, outside the schools to enhance their children's learning. While his book is sure to spark debate, the notion of families taking more responsibility for their children's learning should never be considered controversial.
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