The author looks at critical dialogue surrounding the causes for the alarming high numbers of high school dropouts in states that use high stakes standardized testing mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act, and investigates the perceived correlations between high stakes testing and high numbers of high school dropouts of minority students.

Nineteenth-century American leaders in education came to advocate a redesign of the schoolroom that resulted in its being seen as more the province of female teachers than of male teachers. This discourse of reform serves as a case study of how space itself may be rhetorically "gendered." (Contains 1 figure and 9 notes.)

While praising the Sternberg et al. article, the present author has a couple of concerns. One is that the authors imply that the question of whether the Black-White IQ discrepancy has a genetic component should be a closed issue. I maintain that no argument should be intelligence evolved in colder climates because of the greater difficulty in…

Drawing on work of contemporary biological anthropologists and other scientists, argues that biologically based racial differences are not scientifically valid, but are instead socially constructed categories. Draws implications for teachers, students, and society. Provides suggestions and resources for teachers and students to learn more about…

Introduces some themes and concepts in feminist cultural studies through a dialogue. Concentrates on gender and race and identifies several problems for cultural studies when difference is the guiding concept of research. Concludes by proposing some alternatives when gender and racial differences are reconceptualized and written with a difference.…

The effects of race, defined as individual-difference variables, on Black test takers' performance on tests of cognitive ability, knowledge, and skills have not been investigated in the traditional scholarly testing literature. Moreover, the scholarly testing community has been unwilling to consider this alternative conceptualization of race as a…

The author relates how he experienced the Ku Klux Klan when he was nine years old and how the event woke him to the evils of racism and its many disguises. The author shares ways in which he has combated the "faceless" nature of racism in his life and in his role as a counselor. (Author)

Noting that access to higher education has expanded dramatically in the past several decades, Sara Goldrick-Rab and Kia Sorensen focus on how unmarried parents fare once they enter college. Contrary to the expectation that access to college consistently promotes family stability and economic security, the authors argue that deficiencies in current…

African-American clients have in general been treated by mental health professionals who assess their behavior in terms of white culture and society. By failing to examine these clients in relation to their own culture, professionals may often arrive at distorted diagnoses that result in ineffective treatment. (Author)

Although the suicide rate among Black Americans is rising, particularly among young Black females, little is known about the phenomenon. Much more research in this area is needed, as well as more effective suicide prevention programs. (RLV)

Asserts that fragmentation of academic disciplines handicaps efforts to deal rationally with problems arising from group differences in general intelligence. Contends that open discussions like those appearing in this special journal issue are necessary, and illustrates arguments through comments on moral, scientific, and legal concerns addressed…

Defines the concept of racism and provides background on racism in the United States. Statistics showing the status of minority groups in the areas of the economy, government, housing, education, media, and health are presented. Attitudes toward Black managers in the corporate world are discussed, and several experiences with racism and prejudice…

Directs attention to a number of theories about African-American-white interracial marriage found in the literature of the social sciences. Notes that theories suggest that couples who marry interracially generally have ulterior motives for doing so. Soundness of these theories is refuted, and suggestions are presented for clinicians working with…

Explores emergence of concepts of advantaged elder and feminization of poverty. Calls it paradox that society has simultaneously embraced these two concepts when elderly population, especially subpopulation of those who are very old, is overwhelmingly female. Examines theoretical shortcomings of both concepts and proposes broader model of economic…

Recommends rejecting race (an aesthetic concept) and returning to the apprehension, appreciation, and realization of beauty. Discusses aesthetics and racism, racism and postmodernism, and postmodernism and despair. Explains that recognition of the continuum from aesthetics to beauty would mark the demise of aesthetics and the rise of a new and…