All-male black classes may be one way to prevent this population from dropping out of school. Describes experimental classes in a Newark (New Jersey) private elementary school that appeared to have a positive effect on the motivation, self concept, and responsibility of Black male students. (FMW)

Describes the rationale behind and creation of male academies as part of the Detroit (Michigan) public schools. Discusses opposition on the grounds of lack of educational equity for female students. Considers reasons why the academies will not compromise educational equity. (SLD)

The Baltimore City (Maryland) Public Schools system is the only major urban school system that has successfully implemented same-gender classes for African-American children, with specific emphasis on the male child. Reasons the approach avoids the problems of educational equity encountered in Detroit (Michigan) and Milwaukee (Wisconsin) are…

Explains why Detroit (Michigan) is abandoning plans to establish all-male urban schools and will allow girls to attend three academies originally proposed to help keep African-American males from dropping out of school. Issues of educational equity are discussed. As redesigned, the schools will emphasize African-American culture and history. (SLD)

Describes two schools proposed by the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) school board to focus on the needs of young African-American males. Although these schools would not exclude other races and females, they would consciously and systematically connect total schooling to the African-American heritage for young males. (SLD)