Grade Level: High School / College-Level Religious Studies or African American History
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Explain the historical role of African Methodist Episcopal (AME) schools in Black education.
- Analyze the impact of AME schools on African American empowerment and social mobility.
- Assess the current status of AME schools and their relevance in contemporary education.
- Utilize digital archives (AME-Archives.org) to explore primary sources related to AME schools.
Lesson Breakdown
I. Introduction (10 minutes)
- Opening Question: “Why do you think religious institutions played a central role in Black education after emancipation?”
- Brief Overview: Explain the significance of education in Black empowerment, particularly after the Civil War, and how the AME Church became a leading force in founding schools.
II. Historical Development of AME Schools (20 minutes)
A. Early AME Educational Efforts (1816–1865)
- Richard Allen and the AME Church’s early commitment to education.
- AME schools founded in the North before the Civil War, offering education to free Black communities.
B. AME Schools During Reconstruction (1865–1900)
- The role of AME churches in establishing schools for freedpeople.
- Examples:
- Wilberforce University (1856) – Oldest private historically Black university in the U.S.
- Payne Theological Seminary (1894) – Training Black clergy and educators.
- Morris Brown College (1881) – AME-founded liberal arts college in Atlanta.
- Opposition and challenges, including white supremacist violence against Black schools.
C. 20th Century AME Schools (1900–1970s)
- Expansion of AME-affiliated colleges and seminaries.
- AME schools as centers of civil rights activism.
- The impact of desegregation on the decline of AME primary and secondary schools.
III. AME Schools in the Present Day (20 minutes)
- Research Activity:
- Students will visit AME-Archives.org to find information on the current status of AME schools and colleges.
- They will look for photos, school histories, and recent initiatives related to AME education.
- Discussion Questions:
- How have AME schools adapted to modern educational needs?
- What are the biggest challenges AME schools face today?
- Do AME schools still serve the same purpose they did in the 19th and 20th centuries?
IV. Reflection & Assessment (10–15 minutes)
- Short Writing Prompt:
- “What do you think the future of AME schools should look like? Should the AME Church invest more in primary and secondary education, or focus on higher education? Why?”
- Class Discussion:
- Have students share their thoughts and potential solutions to preserve and expand the legacy of AME schools.
Materials & Resources
- Projector for displaying historical images and statistics.
- Access to AME-Archives.org for research.
- Dennis Dickerson, The African American Church, Cambridge University Press, (October 1, 2020).
- Selected readings from historical documents about AME education.
Extensions & Homework (Optional)
- Oral History Project: Interview a graduate of an AME-affiliated school or university.
- Research Paper: Compare AME schools with other Black religious educational institutions (e.g., Baptist or Catholic schools).
- Presentation: Create a digital timeline of major AME schools from their founding to the present.