Publications
Welcome to the Black Education Research Center (BERC) Publications landing page. BERC generates action-oriented research at the intersections of Black studies, culture, politics, and education to advance educational opportunities and outcomes for Black students across the U.S. and globally.
Our publications bridge history, critical reflection, policy, and practice to serve educators, policymakers, community leaders, and families. Explore our work below across three primary categories: Reports, Briefs, and Commentaries.
From Possibility to Praxis: Reclaiming the Power of Reflection and Action in Black Education
This series features the work of our inaugural cohort of BERC Research Fellows - a distinguished cadre of mid-career educational leadership and policy scholars from across the country dedicated to strengthening Black education through relevant research and policy advocacy.
Do American Students Have a Right to Education? Implications for Black Students and Their Right to Learn
Drawing on federal lawsuits brought by families in Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island, this brief examines state accountability and the fight for a constitutional right to learn, offering actionable policy recommendations for federal and state leaders.
Related Media
Behind the Brief with Dr. Rhodesia McMillian
In this short video, Dr. McMillian examines three federal lawsuits brought largely by Black families and students in Michigan, Rhode Island, and Mississippi. Dr. McMillian identifies what these cases reveal about trust, accountability, and the future of American students’ right to learn.
Black Education in the Wake of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism
Black Education in the Wake of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism: Toward a Theory of Change And Action
This national study examines how COVID-19 and systemic racism have impacted Black education, drawing on the perspectives of families and leaders nationwide.
Black Education in the Wake of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism: A Framework for Atlanta’s Future
This report presents findings from Atlanta-based participants to better understand the unique challenges and policy implications for Black students and families within the region.
Black Education in the Wake of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism: A Look at the Nation's Capital One Year After the Insurrection (Washington, D.C.)
This report presents findings from Washington, D.C.-based participants to better understand the unique challenges and policy implications for residents of the District.
Black Education in the Wake of COVID-19 and Systemic Racism: Advancing an Emancipatory Vision of Education in New York City
This report presents findings from New York City participants to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism have impacted Black education from the unique perspectives of families and educators in the nation's largest school district.
Special Reports
The Black Studies Curriculum: An Educational Necessity for New York City Public Schools
A majority of Black voters in New York City say the new Black Studies Curriculum is an essential way to improve education for all students in NYC.
Mapping 16 Equity Indicators to the New York City Schools Public Datasets: Access, Opportunity, and Outcomes
Despite significant progress, educational inequities remain one of the most pressing issues in New York City schools.
Commentaries
The Three Essential Functions of Black Studies: A Clear and Unwavering Argument
Black Studies serves three unequivocally essential functions that should guide its programs: memorializing and explaining the African experience in the Americas, documenting and celebrating the evolution of Black people in the Americas, and providing rigorous analytical frameworks to critically understand these experiences.