In this book, Dr. Shirley R. Butler-Derge examines Rites of Passage programs and whether they are an effective and necessary educational tool to improve academic performance and self-confidence among male African American high school students--a demographic group that has statistically struggled in both standardized testing results and grade point averages. Dr. Shirley R. Butler-Derge provides commentary on the effectiveness of these programs as well as some necessary components that must be incorporated when developing and implementing Rites of Passage programs.