National Society for the Study of Education Yearbook: Changing Populations/Changing Schools

This volume features 12 studies of the failure of public schools in the United States to meet the educational needs of minority, economically disadvantaged and non-native English-speaking students. The studies trace defects in schooling to specific methods of instruction, the practice of separating students according to ability, poorly executed government education policies and a lack of research on the benefits of programmes aimed at expanding the role of families in education or providing social services in low-income neighbourhoods. Topics include vocational training, programmes for gifted students, "skills and drills" teaching techniques, the organization of schools and districts, the interrelationship of educational development, family and community, and the progress of government programmes designed to compensate for deficiencies, accommodate differences and overcome imbalances. The researchers also address arguments that attribute the low performance of some students to their lack of character, motivation or self-esteem and outline new approaches to instruction, curricula and intervention to improve the education of students with special needs.