Analyzes why ethnic minority groups, such as Asians, are achieving marginal academic success. Analysis of the management, pedagogic, curriculum, resource, and community issues indicates what political guidance might be effective to help improve academic achievement. (GR)

Addresses the rift between black middle and upper classes and those in the so-called underclass, and suggests means for bridging this gap. The author argues that for conditions within the black community to improve, blacks must first take individual and collective responsibility for their destinies. Also explaines which positive,…

Outlines central elements of feminist family theory and reviews existing research on women's postdivorce economic status. Explores implications of challenging monolithic family conceptions; making gender a central analysis category; and expanding conceptualizations of women. Discusses suggestions for future research, refinement in theory, and…

Discusses student educational isolation due to social, economic, cultural, and generational factors, particularly as it applies to Latino adolescents where school setting, language, gender, poverty, and ethnic prejudice are marginalizing forces. Educational strategies that are consistent with a broadened view of marginality are suggested and a…

Most discussions about narrowing the achievement gap focus on ways to provide disadvantaged children with schooling comparable to that received by middle-class kids. Addressing deficiencies in children's social environment, health, housing, and family income would be more effective and would probably reduce special-education spending. (MLH)

This article discusses the characteristics of the Kennedy Kids and Adults Together program, a successful elementary mentoring program for students and community members. Ten steps for establishing such a program are outlined and the results of a program evaluation conducted with students, family members, teachers, and mentors are reported.…

The stories of three young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds highlight significant issues in educating gifted students living in poverty. Major themes uncovered included educators who maintained high expectations, the positive influence of enriched teaching-learning opportunities and extracurricular activities, and the success of a…

Identifies factors contributing to urban schools' failure, including bureaucratic decision-making processes; outmoded, poorly maintained, and improperly designed facilities; responsibility overload; a new student population comprising immigrants, African-Americans, and the poor; rising security costs; inadequate staffing; and lack of political…

Examined predictors of welfare families' participation in early-childhood programs, and development of welfare-family children who were enrolled in early-childhood programs. Found that maternal employment, maternal education, and number of children in the family were predictors of program participation, and that participation was associated with…

Presents an interview with Blenda Wilson, president and chief executive officer of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Discusses ways low income and minority students can afford college tuition, as well as areas in which the financial aid process must be revised. Suggests that community outreach is crucial, as is increased access to grant-based…

Using a sample of 15,885 adolescents derived from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, this study examined (1) unique additive influences of race, family, and community and (2) various multiplicative influences among race, family, and community factors on adolescent distress. Community characteristics such as community poverty and…

Although a relationship between poor self-reported health status and excess mortality risk has been well-established for industrialized countries, almost no research considers developing countries. We use data from Indonesia to show that in a low-income setting, as in more advantaged parts of the world, individuals who perceive their health to be…

This article describes a grant-funded effort to improve the lives of academically able middle and high school students living in rural poverty. The program, Project Aspire, attempts to increase the number of these children in the most rigorous math and science coursework available in their schools. To that end, Project Aspire assists 14 school…

A significant body of research suggests that wide differences in concept and vocabulary knowledge exacerbate the achievement gap among students, especially in schools with large numbers of children of poverty. Educators sometimes attribute this difference to the Matthew effect: the sad reality that having a well-developed vocabulary allows a…

This article presents a regional analysis of educational inequalities in Latin America, drawing on a variety of sources at the national and cross-national levels. It traces how inequalities in education tend to manifest themselves and which population groups tend to be the most affected. The persistence of inequalities is a curious social…