Discusses the policy theories put forward by the advocates of school choice. Explores how the ideas presented in "School Choice and Culture Wars in the Classroom: What Different Parents Seek from Education" (SO 532 108) and "Liberal Equity in Education: A Comparison of Choice Options" (SO 532 109) can be located in respect to these theories. (CMK)

This paper examines the life history narratives of a group of 12 black and white male and female undergraduate students at a historically white Afrikaans medium university, now undergoing its own transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Conceptualizations of identity and discourse across four elements of context, setting, situated activity…

The "Brown v. Board of Education" of 50 years ago was perhaps the most significant school reform implemented in American education. The goal of this landmark decision was to end public school segregation and introduce racially integrated schools. Now in the 21st century and clearly in the shadows of this decision, we argue that the hope…

A draft of a book, "School Choice: The Cultural Logic of Families, the Political Rationality of Institutions," received a great deal of media attention. The book contains research from nine different studies of school choice and includes an introduction and conclusion by Harvard professors Richard Elmore, Gary Orfield, and Bruce Fuller. The…

In South Africa, racial identification determines all facets of a person's life--political, economic, and social. Divided into ten chapters, this book was prepared to increase public awareness of black South Africans' struggle for freedom. Chapter one discusses how the system of apartheid is built on the official identification of all citizens by…

This volume examines the relationship between ethnicity and the law, looking at the two, first in principle and then as they relate to education, employment, and neighborhoods. Philosophically, the papers included in the book represent 4 different perspectives: (1) that the law should recognize only individual rights and that membership in an…

This booklet provides a chronology of public education in Alabama from 1799 to 1979. Objectives are to provide an abbreviated educational history to interested Alabamans and citizens of other states and to inspire researchers to investigate local school systems and other educational topics throughout Alabama. The document is presented in three…

Argues that the need for black studies is as great as ever; that all students, especially whites, need to study the black experience; and that several persistent social realities underpin this need. Suggests a combination of actual, vicarious, and simulated experiences to comprise a black studies program for whites. (DMM)

Examines the historical evolution of the "separate but equal" doctrine as it applies to education. Problems of definition as well as subtle forms of continuing segregation (such as discrimination in housing, selection of school district boundaries and "ability grouping") have prevented the attainment of equal education promised by the Brown…

How can we fix America's floundering public schools? The conventional wisdom says that schools need a lot more money, that poor and immigrant children cannot do as well as most American kids, that high-stakes tests just produce teaching to the test, and that vouchers do little to help students while undermining our democracy. But what if the…

This paper examines the American tradition of educational freedom, following its ebb and flow at various points in history. America's ethos of educational freedom has always been strong, tied to its values of pluralism, tolerance, and free inquiry. However, its legacy of freedom has suffered repeated assaults by individuals and groups who wish to…

This report addresses racial segregation and human rights abuses against Roma in Italy, focusing on: "Anti-Gypsyism in Italy"; "Roma in Italy: Racial Segregation"; "Abuses by Police and Judicial Authorities" (e.g., abusive raids and evictions, abusive use of firearms, torture and physical abuse, discriminatory…

Argues that the pervading purpose of the Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution was not only to secure and firmly establish Blacks' freedom, but also to take color or race into account in remedying discrimination in violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of those amendments. (CMG)

The Carter Administration's urban policy is weak with respect to the targeting of Federal assistance to those communities most in need of help, and ignores the problem of restricted access to jobs, housing, and services. (Author/RLV)

Examines the potential impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the struggle initiated by Brown, namely, that of freeing the nation's schools and educational work places from the effects of racial discrimination. It also discusses the major components of the ADA and offers policy guidelines for implementing the ADA in schools and…