Criteria to aid states in desegregating their higher education systems and the need for federal desegregation policy to take into account the unique role of public black colleges are examined, and the historical effects of segregation on educational opportunities for black Americans are traced. Criteria issues by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, "Revised Criteria Specifying the Ingredients of Acceptable Plans to Desegregate State Systems of Public Higher Education," focused on three major areas: the dismantling of the dual system with respect to black and white colleges; the desegregation of student enrollments, particularly at the traditionally white institutions; and the desegregation of faculty, administration staffs, nonacademic personnel, and governing boards. It is recommended that the Department of Education should monitor the implementation of the desegregation plans in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Virginia, and that Title VI compliance should be determined for the remaining states that formerly maintained de jure dual systems of higher education. It is suggested that the adequacy of the criteria for eliminating the effects of past discrimination and for achieving a unitary system should be reviewed. Additionally, suggestions for strengthening the criteria include the following: black public institutions need to expand missions that include more diverse curricula and new degree programs; current funding to traditionally black institutions should be equal to that granted to white institutions and sufficient funds should be allocated to compensate for past inequities; programming to avoid duplication should emphasize specialized, career-oriented degree programs at black institutions. (SW)