This reference book offers current information about equal opportunity in education through the elimination of racial, cultural, sexist, and linguistic barriers facing minority groups. The volume consists of seven parts, plus subject and geographical indexes. The first section includes a general demographic overview of the U.S., with statistics on income, employment and education. It also discusses cultural pluralism versus the melting pot theory, and examines in a general way the subjects of sexism and racism. The second section deals with both historical roots and contemporary trends in American Indian/Native Alaskan education. Part three presents data on the Asian American/Pacific Islander populations, with specific information on bilingual and bicultural educational projects. The fourth section focuses upon desegregation efforts with regard to Black Americans and discusses standardized testing in relation to the black student. Part five deals with higher education programs for the disadvantaged, as well as special programs for different white ethnic groups. Migrant education is included in this section. Part six discusses social, economic and cultural aspects of the various Hispanic populations living in the United States and mentions bilingual education programs and language problems of Spanish Americans. The final section reviews the social roles and educational progress of women and includes information on identifying and combatting sexism. Reference sources are noted throughout this book. (Author/GC)