"The African American journey from slavery to racial equality and social justice in America has been, and continues to be, a long and arduous struggle. No barrier - whether embedded in law, rooted in social or economic custom, or enforced by racial terror - has ever been able to hold firm against the powerful and unwavering commitment of a determined, authentic black leadership. Yet there now exists an obstruction more subtle than past oppressions ... and one that threatens to impede any future progress." "On almost every measure of academic performance - be it the SAT, ACT, or state-mandated examinations - African American student performance trails, by large margins, that of their white peers. And while this achievement gap was first identified long ago and has since been the subject of countless studies and surveys, little public outcry has erupted - and no truly concerted effort has been made to combat it." "In The Black-White Achievement Gap, renowned former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Elaine Witty provide a wake-up call to black leaders and communities, urging the kind of action that is essential if this blight on African American achievement is ever to be defeated. They trace the history of the achievement gap, discuss its relevance to racial equality and social justice, examine popular explanations, and offer strong suggestions for the type of committed leadership and community involvement that are needed to close it."--BOOK JACKET.