This column shares reflections or thoughtful opinions on issues of broad interest to the community. This month's issue discusses the importance of the insights that are gained through neuroscience research.

St. Philip's College is the only community college in the nation that is both a Historically Black College (HBCU) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). The college has a long history of evolving to serve the local population in San Antonio, Texas. Currently, more than 50 percent of St. Philip's students are Latinx, 29 percent are White, and 12…

In this interview, Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita of Spelman College, shares her views of higher education. She notes the historical importance of historically black colleges and universities to our current leadership in all areas of society, their importance in rural areas or other places with limited educational options, and their need…

Postsecondary student demographics are dramatically shifting in the state of Texas, resulting in an increased need for state government resources to ensure college access affordability in the state. It is critical that lawmakers prioritize higher education to allow Texans from all backgrounds access to afford higher education. This editorial is an…

This commentary brings together the topics of geographically-oriented diversity, minority-serving institutions, and educational leadership programs. The geospatial context for this discussion about school administrator quality focuses on Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United…

Postmodernism has many inferences that can be applied to the theory and practice of higher educational administration. Today, in higher education administrators are continuously focused on strategies that will ensure the future of minority educational institutions. As a result postmodernism is an important factor in the future of higher…

Against the backdrop of magnificent hooks and hypnotic beats, tapper 50 Cent, whose "street cred" is cemented by his survival in spite of a reported nine gunshot blasts, boasts that he "is into havin' sex" but "ain't into makin' love." On entertainment television, Snoop Dogg declares his desire to produce pornographic films and "become a…

The future of private Black colleges depends on public and private financial support to enable them to carry out their missions and establish programs of quality. The question should not be whether private Black colleges are needed, but whether the college is of such quality that it deserves support. (MLW)

Most admissions officers do not use test scores as the sole criterion for denying a student admission. However, sometimes test scores are the only redeeming feature in a student's credentials. Test use in regular and provisional admissions is discussed. (Author/CM)

The need to face the fact that minority groups are particularly vulnerable to testing, or perceive themselves to be, is argued. It is suggested that tests be used--along with other information--for student placement, advisement, and counseling. A program to improve test-taking skills is briefly described. (Author/CM)

The primary mechanism at Xavier University for obtaining a balance between maintaining achievement standards and providing support to underprepared students is the general use of testing at the freshman level to evaluate students and course effectiveness. Traditional course content, a structured tutorial program, and standardized examinations…

A discussion of higher education desegregation in the United States looks at the movement by states to disestablish the dual system of higher education for blacks and whites and other desegregation issues, noting also the specific dilemma of public black colleges, which are constrained by federal law and regulation from building on the success of…

Teacher certification issues are considered from the perspective of blacks in the profession. It is argued that teacher certification tests mandated by states threaten to reduce significantly the number of new minority teachers and seriously harm the historically black institutions of higher education that train teachers. The development of…

Reviews the controversy over the National Collegiate Athletic Association's recent decision to base college freshmen's access to varsity sports on their high school standardized test scores, starting in 1986. Discusses the contention that the policy will discriminate against Black students. (RW)

The article discusses how historically Black institutions are addressing standardized test proposals for teacher certification in such areas as admissions, coursework and practice, and post-graduation activities. General recommendations are included, emphasizing formalized, gradual, knowledge-based development into the teaching profession. (CB)