The 15 chapters of this book address issues related to the continuing test score gap between black and white students. The editors argue against traditional explanations which emphasize differences in economic resources and demographic factors, and they urge that more emphasis be put on psychological and cultural factors. The book suggests studies of the effects on student performance of schools' racial mix, class size, ability grouping, and other policies. Chapters have the following titles and authors: (1) "The Black-White Test Score Gap: An Introduction" (Christopher Jencks and Meredith Phillips); (2) "Racial Bias in Testing" (Christopher Jencks); (3) "Race, Genetics, and IQ" (Richard E. Nisbett); (4) "Family Background, Parenting Practices, and the Black-White Test Score Gap" (Meredith Phillips et al.); (5) "Black-White Test Score Convergence Since 1965" (Larry V. Hedges and Amy Nowell); (6) "Why Did the Black-White Score Gap Narrow in the 1970s and 1980s?" (David Grissmer et al.) ; (7) "Does the Black-White Test Score Gap Widen after Children Enter School"? (Meredith Phillips et al.); (8) "Teachers' Perceptions and Expectations and the Black-White Test Score Gap" (Ronald F. Ferguson); (9) "Can Schools Narrow the Black-White Test Score Gap?" (Ronald F. Ferguson); (10) "The Burden of 'Acting White': Do Black Adolescents Disparage Academic Achievement?" (Philip J. Cook and Jens Ludwig); (11) "Stereotype Threat and the Test Performance of Academically Successful African Americans" (Claude M. Steele and Joshua Aronson); (12) "Racial and Ethnic Preferences in College Admissions" (Thomas J. Kane); (13) "Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores, Race, and Academic Performance in Selective Colleges and Universities" (Fredrick E. Vars and William G. Bowen); (14) "Basic Skills and the Black-White Earnings Gap" (William R. Johnson and Derek Neal); and "The Role of the Environment in the Black-White Test Score Gap" (William Julius Wilson). (Individual chapters contain references.) (DB)