Argues that focusing on gender differences in educational outcomes without considering race and social class obscures gender achievement relationships. Draws on Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice for its insights into the ways that structure and human agency generate social behavior. Presents hypotheses to explain the anomaly of women's…

Findings include (1) poor and upper middle classes want to spend more on schools than the middle classes; (2) Blacks and ethnics of European stock want to spend more on schooling than other Americans; and (3) there is no difference in demands for school expenditures between Northern and Southern/Eastern European ethnics. (RM)

Birth-order is unrelated to verbal and nonverbal IQ performance of either Black or White children; family size is inversely related to the verbal IQ performance of both groups but not to their nonverbal performance; and the inverse impact of family size on verbal ability does not differ significantly by race. (Author/RM)

Describes research testing the 'race convergence' hypothesis for high school students of low socioeconomic background. Findings showed that many race differentials in the aspiration-formation process disappear at this level. (Author/CK)

Analyzes development of racial and gender homophily in a population of elementary and secondary school children in a bi-racial southern community. Using sociometric friendship nominations to examine changes in racial and gender segregation and preference, the results suggest that for these major variables the relationship between homophily and…

Educational and occupational aspirations of Black and White, male, Virginia high school seniors between 1967-76 are compared. By 1976, many White students had lowered their aspirations, while Blacks had not. The relationship of father's education to student's aspirations remains stable. (AM)

Offers predictions about educational inequality over the next one hundred years. Foresees a continuation in the trend toward a decline in black-white racial inequality. Argues that educational inequality by socioeconomic background will persist at current levels throughout the next century. Bases these predictions on past trends. (CAJ)

Analyzes data from the High School and Beyond study to explore lost talent among late high school and post-high school students. Maintains that lost talent occurs when students who show signs of early talent have educational expectations that fall short of their aspirations; have reduced expectations over time; or are not able to realize their…

Summarizes a study that reveals that light-skin-toned and European-looking Mexican Americans receive about 1.5 more years of schooling that darker and more Indian-looking Mexican Americans. Differences in schooling by phenotype persisted with and without controls for other factors. Includes tables of statistical data. (MJP)

Analyzes national data to trace the development of gender differences in learning opportunities, achievement, and choices in mathematics among white, black, and Hispanic students. Finds that the major barriers to mathematics achievement for for minority student of both sexes are limited learning opportunities and low achievement levels. (CFR)

Responds to Maureen Hallinan's review of research and recommendations regarding grouping students for instructional purposes. Contends that ability grouping is much more than an administrative practice. Concludes that the school's normative, social, and political climate should be the object of reform. (CFR)

Evaluates changes in social background, resource constraints, and labor market incentives as possible explanations for differences in the educational expectations between black, and white high school students during 1980-92. Maintains that a consideration of relative direct costs and improvement of social background is necessary to explain these…

Maintains that, among black and white men born between 1907 and 1946, family background accounts for at least half the variance in educational attainment. Reports on a study of 14,711 males to determine the educational attainments of men and their brothers among blacks and whites across time. (CFR)

Early in the 20th century, high rates of international migration from Europe and an increasing number of migrants from the South were rapidly changing the composition of cities in the northern United States. Within this dynamic environment, families faced a more complex set of decisions for the preferred economic roles of their members. For…

Presents results of studies comparing the plans and aspirations of African-American and white high school seniors. Reports that both groups' plans followed similar trends during a period when the chances of college entry declined for African Americans. Attributes trends toward more education among African Americans but not whites to favorable…