Racial segregation remains a persistent problem in U.S. schools. In this article, we examine how social psychological factors--in particular, individuals' perceptions of schools with varying demographic characteristics--may contribute to the ongoing structural problem of school segregation. We investigate the effects of school racial composition…

Religion is the most segregated arena of American life, but its effect on collegiate diversity outcomes has been overlooked, despite the significance of both race and religion in many students' lives. This study examines whether religious observance, religious worldview identification, and participation in a religious student organization are…

Stereotype threat is a widely supported theory for understanding the racial achievement gap in college grade performance. However, today's minority college students are increasingly of immigrant origins, and it is unclear whether two dispositional mechanisms that may increase susceptibility to stereotype threat are applicable to immigrants. We use…

Teachers' social networks can play an important role in teacher learning and organizational change. But what influences teachers' networks? Why do some teachers have networks that are likely to support individual and organizational change, while others do not? This study is a first step in answering this question. We focus on how district policy…

Understanding how immigrants' children form educational expectations may yield insights into the causes of eventual ethnic disparities in socioeconomic attainments. This article examines how the average relative premigration educational status of the immigrant group and the immigrant group's average postmigration SES shape the educational…

Reports a comparative study of the academic achievement and secondary school completion of students of Australian, Greek, English, and Italian backgrounds. Explores differences among results for the ethnic groups. Refutes the assertion that educational systems block the upward mobility of non-English-speaking students. Discusses reasons for the…

Examines the effects of middle school organizational structure on students' interracial and cross-sex communication patterns emphasizing Allport's contact theory, i.e., does structure affect the frequency with which students talk to other-race classmates? Indicates schools can structure curricula to improve majority-minority interactions.…

Notes that women in the United States are underrepresented in science, mathematics, and engineering educational programs and careers. Uses longitudinal survey responses of 320 students to assess the ways in which their social relationships and experiences affect their involvement in science and technology. Frames issues in terms of identity…

Examines 1,213 Tennessee elementary teachers' responses to 6 organizational indexes to determine effects of school organization and administrative support on teacher commitment. Finds novices needed organizational support for behavioral management and boundary tasks, midcareer teachers needed autonomy and empowerment, whereas veterans' commitment…