“A compelling story. . . . Their Highest Potential is noteworthy for the author’s innovative use of community informants as her primary source for documenting the existence of an educational system designed to subvert the corrosive messages of a racist society.” —Journal of American History
“Excellent. . . . Walker should be commended for her work in bringing forth the 'voice of the people.' Clearly, a much-needed addition to an overly lopsided history that continues to ignore 'their highest potential.'” —MultiCultural Review
“This is a first-rate book and a very moving story. . . . [It is] without question the finest re-creation of African American education in the rural South from the post–World War I era to the modern civil rights movement.” —James D. Anderson, author of The Education of Blacks in the South, 1860–1935
“Walker reminds us of at least two important things about the education of African American students. First, African Americans always have been and always will be able to educate themselves. Much of the literature attempts to suggest that African Americans are incapable of providing quality education for themselves. Walker’s book is empirical proof to refute such notions. Second, her book reminds us of that moment in history when school was a caring place for African American children — a stark contrast to what many experience in schools today. Caswell County Training School was an integral part of the community where the hopes, dreams, and aspirations for academic and cultural excellence were mutually reinforced by school, home, and community. This is a must read for anyone seriously interested in promoting excellence for African American learners.” —Gloria Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin-Madison [if used with Anderson quote, use her book title instead of affiliation: author of The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children]
