This book presents a comprehensive review of research on minority students and desegregation. An interdisciplinary approach which covers all major approaches to the problem and which presents contrasting viewpoints on school integration and minority student education is used. Effecting change in the classroom and the schools is the central concern of this book. Beyond the usual exclusive concern with subject areas which can be manipulated statistically, this tome includes the perspectives of historians, lawyers, economists, and even non-specialists. Factors treated at some length include the historical and legal background of the education of minority groups, the ideology of racism, a continuing reexamination and questioning of prevailing views of the role of social class and race in learning, and the impact of minority communities upon the schools. Separate chapters deal with Spanish-surnamed and American Indian students. The impact of schooling is examined in the areas of academic achievement, self-concept and aspirations, and the relationships of students with their peers and with their teachers. The findings presented in a conclusion to this work indicate that desegregation works for both white and black children. It narrows the achievement gap between them. In addition, minority children gain a more realistic conception of their vocational and educational future through integrated settings. Positive racial attitudes by black and white students develop as they attend school together. This book is a companion volume to another book titled, "A Chance to Learn" which includes fuller documentation on the historical and legal materials that are cited in this volume. (Author/AM)