Dr. A. Aguirre Watts

Authentic Voices of Other Children?s Parents: African American Parents? Experiences In, Perceptions Of, and Understandings About Public Schools Dr. A. Aguirre Watts

In seeking to understand the complex and diverse nature of the lived experience of a group of African American parents in public schools as students and later as parents of students in public schools, Authentic Voices of Other Children's Parents reveals what was true for this group as they defined for themselves their experiences in, perceptions of, and understandings about public schools. Guided by questions to help focus the discussion, the parents engage in reflexive and intimate discourse regarding their experiences with public schools and the impact their experiences have had on their lives and the lives of their children. Their stories and conversations support the relevance of understanding culture as an issue facing African American students and the impact it has on academic performance. Their experiences also support the necessity of seeking to find equitable and meaningful solutions to the problems in education, especially for African Americans.