Social science research has shown us for decades that young children notice racial differences at very young ages and learn societal rules about race throughout childhood. Margaret Hagerman reviews some of the research into children's understandings of race and shares her own observations from conversations with children across racial and class…

While some believe there is little need to be concerned about girls in education, they continue to face such ongoing stereotyping, biases, and harassment that follow them into their careers. Shannon Andrus, Charlotte Jacobs, and Peter Kuriloff explore the current state of girls' education and discuss importance of an intersectional lens that takes…

This article describes one secondary social studies teacher's attempts to build a pedagogically democratic classroom. The teacher designs curriculum around large essential questions, connects content to the present lives of students, and creates space for students to make their own decisions and choices. The teacher is convinced that she has…

Despite the consistent policy focus on diversifying the teacher workforce, this workforce still fails to reflect the diversity of the student body in U.S. public schools. Dan Goldhaber, Roddy Theobald, and Christopher Tien examine the theoretical arguments and empirical evidence supporting the importance of teacher workforce diversity. They…

Schools that achieve strong results for black students address racial dynamics directly, empower students to bring their whole selves to school, and teach in ways that leverage students' experiences and cultures. These schools do four things to ensure success with their black students: They direct attention, strategies, and resources to black…

Racial stress and trauma negatively impact the psychological and academic outcomes of Black youth. Riana Elyse Anderson, Farzana Saleem, and James Huguley encourage parents and teachers to explore racial experiences and resulting stress and trauma through racial socialization, or competent conversations and behaviors regarding race and racism, to…

To fulfill educational promises such as "every student succeeds," district leaders must embrace an agenda committed to equitable opportunities for students. Doing so requires breaking from managerial norms to identify new ways forward that prioritize historically low-performing schools. Coby Meyers, Lamar Goree, and Keith Burton distill…

The authors describe a promising approach to engaging high school students in intergroup dialogues, relying on "near peers"--in this case, local college students--to facilitate a series of classroom discussions about racial identity, differences, and opportunities to connect. Early results suggest that the approach had significant…

Little has been discussed about the factors that contribute to reading underachievement in black boys in early childhood and elementary grades, the subject taken up in this article. Black boys are unique in that they are members of two groups that have historically underachieved in reading--boys and blacks. Gender and racial/cultural issues affect…

Argues that, in spite of assertions by Jensen and Shockley to the effect that heredity is the major contributor to IQ differences, there exists no means for estimating the magnitude of the genetic contribution. (JF)

Veteran principals are among the victims of "community control," Chicago style. Presents a chapter from the "Krug Report" published by the Chicago Tribune, with observations, inpressions, and educated insights based on many interviews, visits, and long-time contacts with schools. Attempts to help the public better understand…

Low achievement and high dropout rates among poor and minority students continue to plague U.S. society. While much attention over the past quarter century has focused on reforming the schools these students attend, little or no progress has been made in actually closing the achievement gaps or reducing the number of dropouts. Why? Aren't…