A retired public school educator, Betty Jamerson Reed lives in Transylvania County, North Carolina.

“from reconstruction through integration, this study illuminates Western North Carolina’s segregated black schools”—Appalachian Heritage; “a detailed, thoroughly researched and well documented history...well written and interesting to read”—AASLH Narrative; “a needed contribution to an underrepresented area of study in Appalachian and African American history”—The Journal of Southern History; “in these 264 pages are found failures and successes, laughter and tears, statistics and inspiration. All blend together to both explain and preserve a century and more of educational yearning, neglect, striving, and, to some extent, success”—The Transylvania Times; “provides a historical account of the struggles faced by the relatively small population of African-Americans”—Reference & Research Book News.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Preface      Introduction      1. Roadblocks to Opportunity      2. Tracks of African Americans      3. Steps to Integration      4. Gateway Policies for Education      5. Gateway Push to Education      6. Conceptual Path to Schools      7. Pragmatic Path to Schools      8. Leaders in Secondary Education      9. Turmoil in Secondary Education      10. Reconciliation in Secondary Education      11. Expectations of Education      Appendix: High Spots in Negro History      Bibliography      Index

A retired public school educator, Betty Jamerson Reed lives in Transylvania County, North Carolina.

“from reconstruction through integration, this study illuminates Western North Carolina’s segregated black schools”—Appalachian Heritage; “a detailed, thoroughly researched and well documented history...well written and interesting to read”—AASLH Narrative; “a needed contribution to an underrepresented area of study in Appalachian and African American history”—The Journal of Southern History; “in these 264 pages are found failures and successes, laughter and tears, statistics and inspiration. All blend together to both explain and preserve a century and more of educational yearning, neglect, striving, and, to some extent, success”—The Transylvania Times; “provides a historical account of the struggles faced by the relatively small population of African-Americans”—Reference & Research Book News.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Preface      Introduction      1. Roadblocks to Opportunity      2. Tracks of African Americans      3. Steps to Integration      4. Gateway Policies for Education      5. Gateway Push to Education      6. Conceptual Path to Schools      7. Pragmatic Path to Schools      8. Leaders in Secondary Education      9. Turmoil in Secondary Education      10. Reconciliation in Secondary Education      11. Expectations of Education      Appendix: High Spots in Negro History      Bibliography      Index

A retired public school educator, Betty Jamerson Reed lives in Transylvania County, North Carolina.

“from reconstruction through integration, this study illuminates Western North Carolina’s segregated black schools”—Appalachian Heritage; “a detailed, thoroughly researched and well documented history...well written and interesting to read”—AASLH Narrative; “a needed contribution to an underrepresented area of study in Appalachian and African American history”—The Journal of Southern History; “in these 264 pages are found failures and successes, laughter and tears, statistics and inspiration. All blend together to both explain and preserve a century and more of educational yearning, neglect, striving, and, to some extent, success”—The Transylvania Times; “provides a historical account of the struggles faced by the relatively small population of African-Americans”—Reference & Research Book News.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Preface      Introduction      1. Roadblocks to Opportunity      2. Tracks of African Americans      3. Steps to Integration      4. Gateway Policies for Education      5. Gateway Push to Education      6. Conceptual Path to Schools      7. Pragmatic Path to Schools      8. Leaders in Secondary Education      9. Turmoil in Secondary Education      10. Reconciliation in Secondary Education      11. Expectations of Education      Appendix: High Spots in Negro History      Bibliography      Index