Patterns of sex and socioeconomic differences in aptitude and achievement were compared among eight countries. A universal pattern appeared in which higher status children scored better than lower status children in aptitude, achievement, and school grades. Peer reputation largely ran the same way, with mild exceptions. The social differences in…

Do varying racial and social school mixtures significantly relate to self-esteem of black and white fifth-grade pupils? The purpose of the present study was to examine several facets of this question. Interrelationships were studied among pupil's self-esteem and the following demographic variables: school's racial composition, pupil's sex, pupil's…

Attribution theory provides a way of interpreting achievement motivation which ties together the achievement motive and the sense of control variable (Coleman, et al.). In addition to this conceptual clarity, attribution theory has an advantaged in potential programs for implementing change. The research described here was directed toward an…

Designed to serve as a reference and resource, this publication contains ideas and information to help teachers modify content and teaching methods to assist students in coping with the changing marketplace. Part 1 of the guide lists educational objectives for these major content areas: (1) The Consumer and the Economy, (2) Values and Goals, (3)…

A current vocabulary of argot terms and meanings was collected from a Black male control group in the South Central Los Angeles ghetto. This lexicon was used to elicit and compare responses from 5 male groups of youths between 15 and 20 years old. Two of the groups consisted of lower class blacks separated geographically. The other groups were…

Examples of conversational interactions between a native speaker of English and a Japanese person learning English illustrate the need for more culturally sensitive English as a second language teaching, pointing out that language instruction requires attention and sensitivity to not just linguistic factors but also sociolinguistic aspects. (CB)

Summarizes a qualitative study of family/school relationships in White working class and middle class areas. Concludes that schools have standardized views of the proper role of parents in schooling. Suggests that the concept of cultural capital is useful to understand social class differences in children's school experiences. (Author/RKM)

Focuses on changes that occurred in the Dutch educational attainment process in a 25-year period, comparing a group of students born around 1940 with a group born around 1965. Discusses implications of educational reforms and changes in the Dutch systems of labor and welfare.

Interviews with low-income parents revealed that they were aware of the class character of local schools and believed that high-income schools were superior. Ninety-four percent favored social class school desegregation, believing that their children would thereby obtain a better education and better preparation for social interaction in adult…

Scholars have addressed adults and the impact of popular culture on adult learning, but little attention has been directed toward the relationship between adult learning and African Americans. Most specifically, minimal information is related to adult learning that evolves as a result of popular culture influences. Popular culture promotes…

This guide is designed to involve people in study circles in discussing and taking action on community changes caused by immigration. A foreword introduces immigration and race relations, education, language differences, and job opportunities and defines study circles. Session 1 gives individuals the opportunity to share their personal…

Utilizing "Social Indicators" (1979), discusses growth and distribution of schooling in the U.S., trends in student test performance, and major organizational changes in elementary/secondary education. Comments on quality of available data and suggests improvements for future reporting of educational indicators. (Reprint of article is available…

Two studies investigated how social class and race are associated with mathematical thinking. The first study compared poor Black preschoolers with a group of both Black and White middle-class children; the second study compared Black and White children of lower- and middle-class status. Children were drawn from both preschool and kindergarten…

Sex, body size, several sociocultural variables, and status rank were measured in mixed-sex small groups. The intervening sociocultural variables explained some but not all of the interrelationships. Results underscore the empirical vulnerability of social-psychological explanations of sex-role behavior and signal the need for further research.…

Swedish longitudinal studies of twins support Scarr-Salapatek's explanation of nature-nurture influences on intelligence. This model predicts more genetic variance in test results for advantaged than disadvantaged groups. Jensen's work, however, suggests equal amounts of variance among different social classes. (Author/CP)