This digest summarizes impacts of the Brown decision on school segregation and the educational condition of rural African American students today. In the 1990s, over 90 percent of rural African Americans live in the South and continue to suffer from high poverty rates and low educational attainment. In 1954, the Supreme Court decision in Brown et al v. Board of Education of Topeka et al abolished laws requiring or permitting school segregation in 21 states. Integration was achieved primarily by closing schools in African American neighborhoods and busing students. In response, many White communities withdrew support for public schools and established White private academies. In addition, resegregation occurred within schools via course assignments and "ability grouping." Other factors affecting educational outcomes for rural African Americans include combined negative effects of minority status and rurality, the massive loss of African American educators due to integration-related school closings and layoffs, educators' lack of focus on school factors that contribute to low achievement, and student resistance to "White" school norms. Educators interested in improving outcomes for rural African Americans can begin with an emancipatory pedagogy that goes beyond teaching basic skills to engage students in critical reflection about social realities. In addition, schools must work in partnership with African American parents and communities. (Contains 20 references.) (SV)