This authoritative book carefully examines the shifting terrain of educational policy and why now, more than ever, we must bring equity back to the center of educational reform. Drawn from recent empirical studies of critical issues in education policy, well-known scholars present new analyses of the current status of past reforms, such as desegregation, ability tracking, and affirmative action, and investigate more recent reforms, such high-stakes testing, vouchers, and charter schools. They also examine historical, economic, and political conditions that generate inequalities in educational opportunity.

Features:

• Compelling evidence to support the importance of equity issues at the center of the debate over educational policy and reform.
• Details on the accomplishments of the older, equity-minded reforms versus the newer policies that seek to promote “excellence” over“equity.”
• An examination of the impact of current, high-profile education reforms on the educational opportunities of poor and minority students.

Contributors include: Mark Berends, Martin Carnoy, Marilyn Gittell, George Madaus, Roslyn Arlin Mickelson, Jeannie Oakes, Harry P. Pachón, and Michael A. Rebell.

Janice Petrovich is Director of Education, Sexuality, Religion in the Knowledge, Creativity, and Freedom Program at The Ford Foundation. Amy Stuart Wells is a Professor of Sociology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.