With the 1964 Civil Rights Act, school segregation was to come to an end, but it may be that black students are still receiving a "colored" education. There are inequities and prejudices in U.S. institutions, and these have tremendous influences on how African Americans are perceived and accepted. The nation's African American students…

As the negative effects of traditional approaches to the problems of at-risk students have become known, several promising new trends have been recognized. First among these is the belief that all students benefit from raised expectations. A curriculum that builds on the knowledge and strengths students bring to school can capitalize on the…

The impact of the changing macroecological characteristics of cities on school performance is explored, and what can be done to reduce the achievement shortcomings among urban students from ethnic and language minority backgrounds is considered. The increase in residential segregation and thereby educational segregation in urban schools is as much…

This literature review examines the effect of teacher expectations on minority students, and especially on Mexican-American students. The review focuses on four areas: (1) teachers' attitudes and expectations toward Mexican-American children; (2) teachers' attitudes and expectations toward minority children; (3) teachers' performance expectations…

Data from the 1980 High School and Beyond (HSB) study are used to examine the variables associated with the grades that college-bound high school sophomores received in English, algebra, and geometry courses. Special concerns included determining if gender differences in high school grades could be explained, and how teachers' perceptions of…

This study measured the attitudes and beliefs of teachers in graduate English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses regarding cultural diversity, and particularly regarding multicultural education and educational strategies. Subjects were 31 graduate students enrolled in two of the Education courses required for ESL endorsement. All of the subjects…

Research pertaining to implementation of the U.S. first national education goal calling for parents to prepare their children for school success is reviewed and synthesized. The report is organized to inform the design of a public awareness initiative aimed primarily at parents. It reviews research in an effort to guide decisions about the content…

This paper focuses on the necessary preconditions for the development of the Turning Point program in a large urban school district. Organizational strategies, the selection process, and the schema for delivery of services are presented, along with an analysis of participant interviews, selection criteria, and budgetary considerations. The Turning…

In September 1996, the Missouri Commissioner of Education appointed a statewide task force on the Achievement of African-American Students. The findings of the state-level task force, the views of Missouri students, and the experience of successful educators all support the conclusion that the single most important nontangible element required to…

Previous literature on classroom testing of second language speech skills provides several models of both task types and rubrics for rating, and suggestions regarding procedures for testing speaking with large numbers of learners. However, there is no clear, widely disseminated consensus in the profession on the appropriate paradigm to guide the…

This study examines the question of students as context for what happens in school and the ways in which educators' subjective interpretations of the realities students bring with them to school influence every aspect of the school environment. The focus is on contemporary, nontraditional students whose academic backgrounds, families, values, or…

As part of the investigation into the achievement differentials between white and black students in Michigan, a study was done of the nature of sense of futility (SOF) at the individual student level and the relationship between the SOF correlates and self-concept ability. The sample included 2 groups of fourth and fifth graders in a random sample…

Moving children from a psychiatric treatment facility to community schools presents significant challenges for children, teachers, and families. This study examined the potential conflicts between the expectations of receiving teachers and the behaviors of elementary school students (N=17) using the Assessments for Integration into Mainstream…

This study was undertaken to obtain descriptive information about teachers' perceptions of effective classroom management within an inner-city middle school. Thirteen teachers in one such school in Tennessee were interviewed about their classroom management behaviors. Teachers appeared to have an elaborate system of beliefs related to the themes…

International comparisons show that U.S. students perform well in reading, less well in science, and more poorly still in mathematics. Researchers have found that several factors in combination appear responsible for the complex pattern of achievement, and no quick fix appears available for problem areas. Research suggests that it is quality and…