Explains how the majority race will use stereotyping to hold down a minority race, how this stereotyping was used in the movies of yesterday and is being used in the movies of today, and what black people must do to rid themselves of this stereotyping. (Author/AM)

To determine whether cognitive level rather than social class differences influence problem solving strategies, children from two SES levels were matched on cognitive abilities (preoperational, transitional and concrete operational) and administered a partial reinforcement task. (BD)

Citing some alarming statistics concerning our aging population, declining middle-class birthrates, a burgeoning underclass, and the broadening gap between the rich and poor, this article deplores our society's inability to confront the fading "American Dream" and urges schools to begin recruiting more poor and minority children to the middle…

Educators must realize that expectations should be appropriate and positive. Teachers who are not familiar with the culture of their students may not know what to expect. Schools may unknowingly promote failure by basing expectations on middle class norms. Two exemplary case studies of bilingual students are presented. (VM)

Interpretations of empirical findings on the current trend of economic deterioration among blacks lay blame on the victims instead of on racism and the economics of capitalism. This special issue presents findings of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, with articles interpreting the data along the lines of theories developed by black…

Describes a study designed to analyze the relative frequency of analogical responses to questions among 3 groups: 15 inner-city Black preschoolers, 15 inner-city White preschoolers, and 15 mainstream White preschoolers. Results indicated that the number and frequency of analogical responses to questions were highest among Black children in the…

The author considers the conceptual soundness of self-directed learning and elaborates a definition of the term. The author also raises some questions about the methodological rigor of the studies on which the new academic orthodoxy is based. He considers social settings, learning styles, independence, middle class lifestyles, and methods of…

The U.S. cannot have an economy based on high levels of expertise without a labor force that is expert and broadly enough educated to move easily from challenge to challenge, from one area of expertise to another. A labor force is needed that is creative, knowledgeable, and flexible. (MLW)

Compared the choice of parenthood in 17 Black low-income adolescents and 53 White middle-class couples. Results showed the decision to become parents was related to subcultural values. In contrast to White adults, Black adolescents did not see marriage, completion of schooling, or economic independence as prerequisites for motherhood. (JAC)

Responds to the argument in Beyond the Best Interests of the Child (1973) by Goldstein, Freud and Solnit that the parent awarded custody should have the right to allow or refuse the other parent access to the child by contending that these guidelines are not in the best interests of children, and proposes the adoption of uniform statues regarding…

The social factors that impact Caucasian middle-class women's practice of breast self-examination (BSE) were examined through in-depth interviews with 15 women who were selected to represent a mix of women who practiced BSE monthly, occasionally, or never. The meaning of BSE was analyzed in relation to body image and the social definition of being…

This book addresses issues related to meeting the language and learning needs of low socioeconomic status (LSES) students so they achieve as well as middle socioeconomic status (MSES) students. Chapter 1, "What's Going On? discusses differences between LSES and MSES children that cause LSES children to fail and MSES children to succeed in school;…

Middle- and lower-class children who had been treated by E in a warm or aloof manner were given a discrimination learning task under one of six conditions forming a 3 by 2 design: three reinforcement types (Verbal-intoned, Verbal-nonintoned, or Symbolic) and reinforcement for correct or incorrect responses. (Editor)

Deals with some problems in the operation of a school in a white middle-class Chicago community and the attempt by a segment of the community to influence the direction of their school. (Author/JM)