The influences of culture and political status on the schooling experiences and educational attainment of African Americans are explored. The influences of culture and political status on educational research regarding African Americans are also discussed. Traditional learning environments, including public schools, have emphasized the cultural assimilation of African Americans, rather than cultural difference or competence issues that would affirm the African American cultural heritage. Historical models of education deemed appropriate for blacks have ranged from the European classical liberal curriculum, through the industrial education model and the model of education for black self-reliance. In a more contemporary sense, any discussion of African American education within a multicultural context must use as a primary filter the implications of African American cultural knowledge, values, and language for the learning process. Policies and strategies to improve African American education and the implications for educational research are reviewed. (Contains 207 references.) (SLD)