"I think an Afrocentric curriculum, which pays attention to and exposes other groups and other heritages, can be positive," he said.

The thrust of such an Afrocentric curriculum, which emphasizes the contributions of blacks, does not fundamentally change what is taught to students, but rather augments what they learn, scholars and educators said.

"In a multicultural society, the Afrocentric curriculum becomes an organic piece that is fused into the general curriculum."

I opposed the Afrocentric curriculum that was being advanced by the State Education Department's consultants (primarily Dr. Leonard Jeffries).

For his part, Dr. Jenkins has repeatedly said that his efforts to introduce an Afrocentric curriculum caused the dismissal.

On campus, he says, it should be replaced by the mosaic model, in which preferential admission and hiring programs and a more Afrocentric curriculum would assure blacks equal status.

A white teacher says the Afrocentric curriculum is serving "as a propagandistic vehicle, and sometimes a separatist vehicle," and classroom scenes support that judgment.

The teachers are getting special training in Afrocentric curriculum and in alternative teaching methods; black men teachers are being recruited as role models.

A former black nationalist, Fuller opposes busing to achieve integration, and advocates an all-black school with an Afrocentric curriculum.