it had established 4,239 schools, employed 9,307 teachers, and instructed 247,333 students. The higher education of African Americans was the bureau's responsibility. In many instances there was opposition among the white people of the South; moreover, in one state, the opposition became widely organized. At the same time, many former slave masters reportedly assisted in establishing schools for the slaves and became their teachers.

On May 16, 1866, a convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio, and formed the American Freedman's Union Commission.