Discusses whether schools become more responsive to parents and more equitable when "chosen" by the clients they serve. Reveals that even where schools are outwardly characterized by values cohesion, shared goals, and voluntary affiliation, interaction between a school and its environment is likely to be a process of ongoing negotiations…

Examines a grassroots African American movement to reestablish a historically black high school closed during desegregation. Analysis of written documents and interviews with former students and community members indicates that establishment of the school was contentious. Highlights the paradox of desegregation for African American communities,…

Studied factors contributing to the academic achievement of nine high-achieving urban female students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Findings demonstrate the importance of a community of achievement created by these students within their school and the importance of parental expectations. (SLD)

Conducted observations, interviews, and videotaped lessons at a multiethnic high school to investigate sociocultural factors influencing school suspension. Suspensions frequently occurred in the absence of physical violence or blatant verbal abuse. Suspensions were generally preceded by a series of nonviolent events, with one disruptive event…

Uses narratives of five female students of color in an urban high school to describe how students simultaneously participate in, and resist, school. Suggests organizing schools to maximize contact between school personnel and students and notes the importance of listening to students when formulating educational policy and practice. (SLD)

Describes strategies used in a successful program to reduce dropout, failure, and suspension rates among Black and other minority group students in an urban high school. (ST)

A micro-finance analysis of site-based at-risk per pupil costs conducted at a Texas urban high school with high minority student enrollment revealed that 68 percent of the students exhibited state-defined, at-risk variables and that the highest program cost produced the highest achievement. (SLD)

Assessed the assignment of students in an urban system to ninth-grade mathematics courses against a meritocratic definition of fairness to determine whether the process denied access to students from particular segments of society. Results with 1611 students show that entrance to the gatekeeper mathematics courses was unfairly denied for low…

Investigated social pressure to avoid acting white, interviewing relatively high achieving African American and Mexican American students in public and private high schools. Most did not avoid academic achievement to avoid accusations of acting white, and most reported no loss of ethnic identity. They felt strong resentment toward peers'…

Qualitative research conducted with 14 Vietnamese American students in Boston (Massachusetts) shows that social exclusion and racial conflict are daily realities. Perspectives of these students challenge the validity of the dominant black-white model that defines public understanding of race relations. (SLD)

The approach of the School without Walls illustrates how collaborative curriculum can empower students and can address the problem that our schools do little to change power relations between students of elite families and those of minorities and low socioeconomic status. Data from a study of the school's student outcomes and a national study of…

Examines the low level of teacher morale at inner city schools and finds "ethical" stressors such as racial tension among faculty, falsifying of school records, and sexual harassment by school officials emerging as factors contributing to teacher exit and absenteeism. (AOS)

Studies the complex layers making up a school culture and their effect on the routine organizational decision in handling truancy. Findings suggest school cultures, although unified at the organizational level, are inconsistent at the subcultural or individual level. Members can exercise greater flexibility within the organization but also can…

Compared student-teacher perception of discipline and examined how ethnicity, achievement, gender, and position influenced practices. Data from 16 urban high school students and 9 teachers indicated that interpersonal conflicts were more consequential for students of color. Evidence surfaced of disparate perceptions among ethnically diverse…

Explores how white working-class boys who have family traditions in auto repair construct notions of masculinity in a public-vocational-school autoshop class. It suggests that the frustration at losing their place of privilege within a restructuring economy has generated a rage that is displaced on those who have historically had little social and…