This speech by the education advocate of the National Urban League outlines the involvement of that organization in the national struggle for quality educational opportunities for black Americans. The history of black education is discussed, from dual "separate but equal" school systems to the Brown decision to current census data that show the historic gap between black and white median educational levels closing at an ever increasing rate. The education division, always an important part of the agenda of the Urban League, initially focused on needs related to enhancing employment opportunities. Current concerns include the need for guidance counseling, dropout prevention, minimum standards, basic skills, especially language acquisition, and the importance of school finance issues. Data gleaned from the Street Academies program, an alternative urban school movement which helps dropouts achieve diplomas, document the need for early action toward these issues. As education advocate, the speaker coordinates the activities of local affiliates in order to achieve a meaningful relationship between their direct service programs and the movement's advocacy role. Her present concern is that the "back to basics" movement is a code word for tracking. (KR)