Tennessee Black Codes: Education What does this law say about education? African American children cannot attend the same schools as white children. African American children must attend the same schools as white children. African American children may not get an education. [T]he provisions of this act shall not be so construed as to require the education of colored and white children in the same school. —Tennessee Black Codes 1866 Use these definitions to help you as you read: Provisions means “conditions.” Construed means “understood to mean; implied.”