Explores social acceptance of inequality in U.S. education. Views the legitimation of inequality primarily as a product of early stratification in education, such as tracking, and cumulative reinforcement in a cultural context of contests as equality of opportunity. Early levels of schooling are organized as a series of contests. (SLD)

Structures that produce negative effects for some children are discussed, including grouping practices. A role for the states in moving away from traditional approaches is outlined. Current ability grouping and tracking are critical barriers to creating high expectations for all students, and they perpetuate low levels of performance for average…

This book explores how the use of academic grouping and tracking can limit the educational opportunities available to black students. Equal educational opportunities are examined for 174 U.S. school districts with at least 15,000 students and a 1 percent black enrollment. The focus is on political forces that affect education. The analysis…

Describes the switch taking place in many schools, especially middle schools, from grouping students by ability (tracking) to mixed-ability classrooms (untracking). Discusses components of untracking, student and teacher responses, and tracking as a public policy issue. (SLD)

Some of the major barriers to progress in special education reform are highlighted, and critical issues for improving the prospects of achieving equity in schooling success for all of the children in U.S. schools are discussed. Vignettes illustrate what new programs and policies for helping students might actually mean for the students and their…