Analyses of National Longitudinal Survey data indicate that cognitive skill level affects access to high-skill occupations and earnings. Lower cognitive skill levels for African Americans and U.S.-born Mexican Americans explain a substantial proportion of income differences between these groups and European Americans but not the gender gap in pay…

This book focuses on topics germane to cognitive abilities viewed from a "minority psychology" perspective. The most contentious chapters concern test bias and heredity, with culture, socioeconomic status, and case viewed as the chief explanations for test score differences between social classes and racial and ethnic groups. The reviewer…

Presents major findings from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2001 U.S. History Assessment, analyzed by student sub-grouping and teacher and student factors and compares them to 1994 results. There have been some gains in achievement in history in the period, but 2001 results show a continuing pattern of average score…

Reports survey results from 2,234 Montana students on drinking prevalence, age at first drink, drinking consequences, nondrinkers' reasons for abstinence, acquaintance with teenage alcoholics, friends' drinking behavior, and drinking and driving. Finds prevalence of alcohol use among Indians significantly higher than that of non-Indians. Discusses…

Examines how judicial selection methods (appointive or elective), electoral power, and intergroup competition influence number of state judgeships among women, Blacks, and Hispanics. Reports the impact of selection methods has been overstated. Shows a positive relationship between number of women and minority lawyers and number of women and…

Examined the differences in alcohol consumption and related problems among Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic college students. Results showed that Caucasians had significantly higher quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption than African Americans or Hispanics. Implications of these findings are discussed. (TE)

Investigates factors, including heredity and culture, contributing to exceptional Asian American academic achievement. Proposes the concept of relative functionalism, under which Asian Americans perceive and have experienced restrictions in upward mobility in occupations unrelated to education. Consequently, educational achievement assumes…

Examined sexuality and contraceptive knowledge of inner city middle school adolescents (N=116) from minority groups who participated in a free physical examination program. Differences by gender, race, and ethnicity were found. The findings suggest trends and implications for school counselors. (NB)

Uses census data from 1973-1981 to examine patterns of employment and unemployment during recession and recovery phases of the business cycle among Hispanic, Black, and White youth, aged 16-19. Describes intra-Hispanic differences by gender and ethnic subgroup. Contains eight statistical tables. (SV)

Finds that, among 134 rural fifth graders exposed to a 2-week environmental education program, hands-on classroom activities eliminated pretest racial differences in environmental attitudes, but a field trip did not. Suggests similarities in the negative environmental attitudes of rural and urban non-White populations. Contains 15 references. (SV)

Study aimed to understand how home and school factors either facilitate or impede children's adaptation to school by examining longitudinal data on cognitive performance for a large and diverse sample of youngsters over grades one and two in Baltimore City Public Schools. (JRC)

Using data from the Illinois Talent Search Program, this study examines relationships between scores on several common standardized achievement tests and subsequent performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The dual criteria testing process is also analyzed for possible race and gender effects. Guidelines are offered for setting appropriate…

Effects of instructional coverage variations on item characteristic functions were examined, using eighth-grade data from the Second International Mathematics Study (1985). Although some differences in item response curves were large, better performance was not necessarily related to greater learning opportunity. Item curve response differences…

Using the author's own experience as a model, highlights the inner workings and racial dynamics in the teacher's union and offers some perspective on the role of Black teachers in the process. Black teachers must push for a share in the governance of their unions. (BJV)

The sample consisted of 533 adolescent state wards. Knowledge levels were classified by sex and race. Scores were compared with results of National Adolescent Student Health Survey. Within sample, females scored higher than males, and whites scored higher than nonwhites. Variations in knowledge levels and implications for AIDS prevention education…