This article discusses competing perspectives on the value of the General Educational Development (GED) credential. Although scholars and journalists debate the worth of the credential, urban youth continue to pursue the GED, especially as proxy for inadequate schooling. Using qualitative data from a participatory action research project, the…

Hip hop culture is typically excluded from conventional educational spaces within the U.S. Drawing on the experiences of an educator who works with urban high school students and university level pre- and in-service educators, this article examines the role of hip hop culture for student engagement in two settings--an alternative high school…

This article takes up what people might learn about resistance and surveillance by looking at how students at a Bronx, New York, high school have responded to security initiatives recently imposed on them. It discusses three responses: the protest; tactical avoidance; and what the author calls emergent participation. The author addresses each of…

Studied perceptions about the perceived masculinity and femininity of kibbutz male adolescents of 79 Israeli adolescents, half of whom were urban and half of whom were raised on a kibbutz. Kibbutz targets were generally seen as more masculine. Exceptions and differences among urban and rural adolescents are discussed. (SLD)

The high school transition was examined in an ethnically diverse, urban sample of 1,979 adolescents, followed from 7th to 10th grade (M[subscript age] = 14.6, SD = 0.37 in 7th grade). Twice annually, data were gathered on adolescents' perceptions of school climate, psychological functioning, and academic behaviors. Piecewise growth modeling…

This study investigated the relationship between racial identity attitudes and academic achievement among 26 urban African American high school students. Results suggest that academic achievement may be related to racial identity attitudes. Educational implications are discussed. (SLD)

This study of six young urban African American men, all in grades 10 or 11 at the time of the study, examined their experiences and the meanings they constructed of the high school diploma, their experiences in classrooms, and their relationships with family members and peers. The perspectives of these young men point to the importance of…

The opinions of young urban teenagers about the possible impeachment of President Clinton were studied through assigned compositions. Among the 228 students, all in grades 7 through 9 in Milwaukee (Wisconsin), were 9 European Americans, 15 Hispanic Americans, 6 Hmong, and 198 African Americans. Student compositions showed little knowledge of the…

Analyzes data from 1,755 high school students in Hong Kong concerning participation in youth center activities. Findings support the usefulness of the sequential specificity model and indicate that knowledge of and attitude toward youth center services affect the participation intention of participants more than those of nonparticipants. (SLD)

Business students surveyed (n=167, 72.6% female, 97.6% African American) were generally positive about business courses; their attitudes were based on the personal relevance and educational value of the courses. Students' grade level and their mothers' educational level were significant in explaining their perception of the educational value of…

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)

An alternative dropout-prevention program is examined from the students' perspectives. Findings from interviews and observations suggest that the program is effective in keeping the students in school but does little to help the students develop daily living and social skills. Policy implications are discussed and suggestions for future research…

Identifies the pressures and problems in adolescents' family, peer, and school worlds that they perceive as having impact on their learning. Interviews with 55 ethnically and academically diverse urban youth show problems with social worlds and transitions and the social, emotional, and educational consequences of these problems. (SLD)

Interviews with 162 10th-grade Mexican-American students in Chicago found that, of respondents aspiring to a career, both females and males overwhelmingly aspired to male-dominated careers. Females aspiring to highly male-dominated careers had higher levels of acculturation and academic achievement, higher educational expectations, and clearer…

Studies interactional, pedagogical, and curricular actions that stigmatized high school students perceived as affecting their willingness to adapt to varied classrooms. Data from 49 students illustrate that stigmatized students prefer teachers who give personal attention and respect and solicit student opinions. (SLD)