Examines the social conditions of Blacks in Southern Appalachia, within the context of the region's developing political economy. Suggests that racial equality has not been pursued beyond the need for cooperation between the races, because of reluctance to disturb the preestablished order of Southern life and values. (Author/MJL)

Holds that, in Canada, educational achievement inequalities are erroneously attributed to language disadvantage rather that to the power implications imposed on languages by social-psychological relationships. Examines several countries' experiences with bilingual education, and stresses that children should master their native language before…

An account of the American Sociological Association's projects to institute a planned approach to the social change that influences learning outcomes is presented. The relationship between teacher effectiveness and contextual factors is the theme. Teaching is seen as directly affected by the availability of resources, support, and facilitation.…

An examination of the relationship between higher education and the kibbutz economy investigated the importance of individual self-development. As the kibbutz economy has become increasingly industrialized, the issue of higher education creates generational conflict and conflict in terms of a balance between social reproduction and individual…

Reviews four studies in which Black and White dolls were presented to children in questioning them about racial self-image. Results indicate that racial self-identification and preference of Black children became more positive with the occurrence of both the civil rights and the Black power/Black pride movements. (Author/GC)

A life-course perspective is applied to the study of human development in an ecological context. Human lives are depicted in terms of aging, career and historical setting. The adequacy of global measures is assessed and explanatory assessments of the relation between environmental and personal change are recommended. (Author/RH)

Examines the conflicting conceptualizations concerning the status of high school honors chemistry and the actual importance of the class. Reveals that standards of behavior and learning are actually less in the honors class. Examines this phenomenon from a sociological and anthropological perspective. (MJP)

This paper argues that the essential social function of schools is to teach people their place, which can become material for ruling elites. Focusing on urban students, the paper emphasizes that teachers must learn to become political in order to help build a just social order. (SM)

Statistical analysis of the relationships between three schooling outcomes and family background in 13 Latin American countries employing data from 1996 study. Finds that while the relationship between schooling outcomes and family background varies among countries, the most effective schools share similar characteristics, for example, high levels…

Compared to classmates with low and average reading achievement, 32 intermediate-grade students with learning disabilities (LD) had lower peer acceptance, lower feelings of self-worth, fewer positive nominations, and more negative self-perceptions regarding social acceptance. Different patterns of social and behavioral functioning distinguished LD…

Proposes a conceptualization of the professionalization that is inherent in graduate school training as resocialization rather than developmental socialization. Discusses the possible negative effects of this process on students' self-concept. Responses by Jane Allyn Piliavin, Norman Goodman, and Joan Aldous follow. (LS)

Central American immigrants, who have recently entered the United States in large numbers, may become integrated in the social structure, be confined in a low-wage and -status sector, or create an ethnic enclave. They are at high risk for joining Mexican Americans at the bottom of the socioeconomic system. (AF)

Asserts that song lyrics illustrate important sociological concepts. Reports on a study using song-lyric packets with 23 students in an introductory college sociological course. Finds that students were very supportive of the strategy and includes an appendix illustrating the approach by presenting one song-lyric packet. (CFR)

Analyzes data from the High School and Beyond study to explore lost talent among late high school and post-high school students. Maintains that lost talent occurs when students who show signs of early talent have educational expectations that fall short of their aspirations; have reduced expectations over time; or are not able to realize their…

Reviews three studies that examined the impact of playground types on children's creativity during pretend or imaginative play, the relationship between adolescents' pursuit of social goals and social competence at school, and the impact of sports participation on the social status of adolescents. Discusses various implications for camps in…