Suggested Interview Questions

Suggested
Interview Questions for

Rod
Paige & Elaine Witty

1. What
   motivated you to write a book about the most overlooked race-related
   problem in America, THE
   BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP (AMACOM;
   February 16, 2010)?

1. You
   argue that the achievement-gap problem—not racism or racial
   discrimination—is the primary barrier to racial equality and
   social justice for African Americans. Why?

1. In
   THE
   BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP,
   you examine several explanations for why African American students,
   from pre-K through high school and into college, generally lag
   behind their white peers. How valid are the prevailing arguments?

1. As
   you acknowledge, African Americans have suffered from being denied
   educational opportunities under the oppressive laws of slavery and
   Jim Crow. Why, then, do you urge African American leaders to stop
   citing their woeful educational history as justification for the
   contemporary educational performance gap?

1. Why
   do you criticize African American leaders for contributing to the
   achievement-gap problem by both omission and commission? How were
   you once among the offenders?

1. In
   THE
   BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP,
   you emphasize the need for authentic
   African American leaders. What are the hallmarks of authentic
   leadership? Why doesn’t an authentic African American leader
   necessarily have to be an African American?

1. As
   you make clear, outstanding schools around the country have achieved
   superb results for black students despite the obstacles of poverty,
   uneducated or uninvolved parents, and an unsupportive community.
   What specifically are these schools doing differently?

1. As
   U.S. Secretary of Education in the Bush Administration, you were a
   staunch proponent of No Child Left Behind. Why do you take issue
   with the mostly Democratic civil rights community’s response to
   this initiative?

1. What
   are your views on the Obama Administration’s approach to NCLB in
   particular and education in general? As the nation’s first African
   American President, is President Obama taking an authentic
   leadership role in closing the achievement gap for African
   Americans?

1. In
   THE
   BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP,
   you praise the controversial Reverend Al Sharpton for taking the
   type of action that represents authentic African American
   leadership. What is exemplary about Reverend Sharpton’s
   involvement in New York City’s public schools?

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1. How
   can African American leaders at all levels—national, state, city,
   town, and church—help their constituents understand the
   achievement-gap problem without aggravating racial tensions?

1. In
   THE
   BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP,
   you stress the importance of commitment to education throughout
   black communities. What actions can organizations from the NAACP to
   fraternities and sororities take to make a positive impact?

1. Would
   you share a few suggestions for parents and other concerned
   individuals who want to be of service to African American children?

1. What
   is your ultimate goal for THE
   BLACK-WHITE ACHIEVEMENT GAP?

For
more information contact The B&B Media Group

Audra
Jennings ajennings@tbbmedia.com
800.927.0517 ext. 104 or

Diane
Morrow dmorrow@tbbmedia.com
800.927.1517