Description
Book SynopsisOne of the most disturbing problems in American education today is the unequal achievement of children in schools. Few problems have sparked greater concern than the issue of why students from different social origins differ so significantly in their academic performance. This book explores the role played by families and schools in this troubling problem. It employs a social constructionist approach in considering how ascribed characteristics (race, gender, and class) intersect with the daily interactions of teachers and students in classrooms and with the educational practices and structures within schools (tracking, testing, and teacher expectations) to play an exacting role in the construction of success or failure. It suggests that the new student identity that begins to emerge as a result of these processes provides a self-fulfilling prophesy of expectation and belief, which defines how students see themselves as learners and achievers. Through these practices, schooling becomes
Trade ReviewRecommended. * CHOICE, September 2009 *
This work brings new clarity to the problem of underachievement in our schools. Unlike other books in the field, it explores the important issue through the eyes of a social constructionist, enabling us to appreciate more fully the power inherent in schools to impact student achievement. This multidisciplinary work is informative, thought provoking, and, most importantly, well researched. I recommend it to all parents, teachers, school administrators, and students of sociology and education. -- Diane B. Scricca, superintendent of schools in Riverhead Central School District, New York
Table of ContentsPart 1 Part 1. Introduction Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Perplexing Problems in American Schooling Part 3 Part 2. Previous Explanations for Unequal Achievement Chapter 4 Chapter 2. Explaining Unequal Achievement Part 5 Part 3. The Role of Family Chapter 6 Chapter 3. Explaining Unequal Achievement: The Family Part 7 Part 4. The Role of the School Chapter 8 Chapter 4. Explaining Unequal Achievement: Between-School Differences Chapter 9 Chapter 5. Explaining Unequal Achievement: Within-School Differences Part 10 Part 5. A Theoretical Synthesis Chapter 11 Chapter 6. Explaining Unequal Achievement: A Theoretical Synthesis Part 12 Part 6. Conclusions and Discussion Chapter 13 Chapter 7. Where Do We Go From Here? Discussion and Policy Implications
