Hamovitch's review misinterprets key aspects of the book and of cultural and curricular analyses in general. The book links the curricular dilemma in balancing individualized and standardized knowledge to the wider culture. It is not a defense of tracking, but rather a curricular and cultural examination. (SLD)

Develops a definition of inner-city children based on community location and poverty level, and applies this definition to eighth grade data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988. Inner-city students differ from others in racial and ethnic backgrounds, family incomes, parents' education and employment, and family composition. (SLD)

The General Accounting Office (GAO) investigated the effects of educational reform on approximately 61,000 disadvantaged urban students (focusing on Black and Hispanic-American students) in 4 districts. Excerpts from GAO findings and implications of the mixed results, with overall modest gains, are provided. (SLD)

Identifies qualitative differences in how four teachers in an urban multicultural high school think about classroom events based on their differing conceptions of multicultural education. Results indicate that the teachers' thinking about multicultural education is a factor that contributes to differences in their attributions and principles of…

Traces the demographic, economic, social, and political contexts of educational reform in Chicago (Illinois) resulting from its initiative to transfer power to elected councils. Argues that several key problems remain in the areas of minority participation, educator sense of ownership, and conflicts between local councils and the central…

Argues against the Bush administration's school choice proposal from historical and sociocultural perspectives. The Bush approach to education reform espouses educational excellence without addressing needs of children who are at risk of school failure. Equity for minority groups has never occurred as a by-product of a focus on excellence. (SLD)

Six Black men in their midtwenties, all from inner-city school, expressed their feelings about what it means to be a Black man and their views of family. Participants had taken varying steps toward overcoming negative self-images but still had many obstacles to overcome. (SLD)

Examines attitudes and needs of 311 Vietnamese American tenth and eleventh graders (75 Chinese Vietnamese and 230 Vietnamese) to provide information about better meeting their needs. Students generally perceive their school experiences as positive, although discrimination is felt. Implications of findings for education of second-language students…

Describes the conditions faced by urban Appalachians, with particular reference to educational outcomes, and outlines the philosophy and functions of the Lower Price Hill Community School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Assesses the school's impact on its students, and on local and state levels of educational attainment. (Author/FMW)

Describes Project Austin-East EXCEL, a pilot college preparatory program for inner-city minority high school students in Knoxville (Tennessee). Develops an "academic ethos" through the following components: (1) reading, writing, and foreign language program; (2) "demystification" of the college experience; and (3) career…

Examines one community's efforts to fundamentally alter a high school's structure, curriculum, and instructional practices to provide greater educational opportunities for all students. The program used heterogeneous grouping in tandem with curricular and pedagogical changes. Student surveys indicated that the program was moderately successful in…