This report is the second in a series of analyses by the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) of minority opportunity in higher education in the South. In this report, the focus is on the status of blacks in higher education in the 19 states that at one time operated dual systems of public higher education. Data were collected for each state on indicators of access and success for public systems of higher education, with a focus on 4-year institutions. These indicators included, among others, population characteristics, family income, high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, degrees, fields of study, and representation of faculty. Data collection was complemented by surveys and interviews with individuals knowledgeable about public higher education in each state. In these states, public higher education continues to be segregated in practice. The historically black institutions remain overwhelmingly black, and the traditionally white institutions remain the province of white students. While the number of black students entering higher education has grown since the 1970s, the percentage of blacks among freshmen is almost unchanged. Nine of the states reported that the proportion of blacks in their freshman classes actually declined between 1991 and 1996. The economic circumstances of black students in these states remain a barrier to many who want to pursue a higher education. In addition, these 19 states provide more financial aid without consideration of students' family income than do other states. The flow of black students entering higher education, relatively small to begin with, virtually dries up at the postgraduate level. In no state does the representation of blacks among doctoral degree or first professional degree earners reflect their representation in the population. Black faculty are also underrepresented in every state. In spite of the mandate of United States v. Fordice, the court decision that ordered states to desegregate their colleges, many states have failed to develop a comprehensive plan to cure inequity in higher education. Some suggestions are made for attaining educational equity in public higher education. Three appendixes contain information on developments affecting black students in these states, a summary of recommendations from the SEF report "Redeeming the American Promise," and state income data. (Contains 13 figures.) (SLD)