Examines the effect of mixing students from different ethnic/racial and social class backgrounds on status relationships among Anglo and Hispanic students by integrating the findings of two streams of research which emanate from two social policy goals, cultural assimilation and reduction of racial prejudice. (SB)

Among 1,607 American Indian and Anglo dropouts and currently enrolled middle- and high-school students, language difficulties and problems with teachers were predictive of academic troubles and dropping out. Success of Indian students was related to stronger Anglo cultural identity and better English proficiency (in mainstream schools) but was not…