Arthur E. Wise, a longtime advocate for K-12 school improvement, reviews 50 years of efforts to promote equal educational opportunities for all children, describing the pros and cons of three main reform strategies: lawsuits focused on funding equity, which have had some success; the standards and accountability movement, which has not; and…

After-school learning, summer learning, and family involvement in learning are major predictors of children's development, educational achievement, and school success. The United States will not achieve its national goals of equal educational opportunity without addressing the importance of and inequities in out-of-school learning opportunities.…

Discusses the Equal Opportunity in the Classroom Project of the Los Angeles County Schools in which recognized low achievers are given equal attention in the classroom. (IRT)

The present structure must be modified so that athletics will again be self-initiated, fun-oriented, and player-controlled, with equal opportunities for girls and women. (Editors)

Although the denial of accrued sick leave for pregnancy is not per se illegal, school districts could make a very positive step toward equal opportunity by treating pregnancy the same as all other temporary disabilities. (Author/IRT)

Examines attitudes and practices concerning equal opportunities for women in education and work, and briefly compares the attitudes of readers of the British "Sunday Times" with the attitudes of Americans as expressed in the 1978 Gallup Poll. (IRT)

Teach for America exists to address educational inequity--the stunning reality that the American nation, which aspires so admirably to be a land of equal opportunity, where one is born still largely determines one's educational outcomes. Despite plenty of evidence that children growing up in poverty can do well academically--when given the…

Examines how the role of women within the home has changed and reviews legislation that makes equal job opportunity for women a requirement in theory. Considers five stereotypes about women that will have to be changed if women are to have equal job opportunities in practice. (Author/DN)

Continues the argument against tracking and ability grouping in schools. Traces circumstances and beliefs leading to this system of handling student diversity and shows how these factors obstruct schools' efforts to achieve two highly valued goals: academic excellence and equal opportunity. Suggests alternative approaches. (MLH)

Equal opportunity is more attainable than universal scientific literacy. Society should instead invest in improved science education for the disadvantaged. Science is a difficult subject. Educators can arouse curiosity and awaken self-interest, but they cannot create lifelong learning by force-feeding a concentrated dose of science. (Contains 15…

European countries have women in major positions of power, reflecting social changes and the development of equal opportunities. The schools, though, still continue to present stereotypic roles for women and men. Most European languages also have more gender markings than English, and gender stereotypes are reinforced by class stereotypes in…

There are many students with high native abilities that remain underdeveloped because of inadequate opportunity, practice, and motivation. Although genetics significantly affects development of various intelligences, environment (including cultural values) and sequential experiences help crystallize native abilities. Schools must organize and…

Discusses the standards movement, several standards categories (content, performance, equal-opportunity, and world-class), state and professional standard-setting activities, ongoing controversies, teacher participation opportunities, and need for public support. The New Standards and Equity 2000 projects provide linkages to standards-based reform…

The elite colleges exert too much control over a vast number of noncollege-bound students. Educators must rethink two beliefs supporting the top-down model of education: faulty notions about equal opportunity, sameness, and the college-bound curriculum's inherent worth; and equally misguided notions about the dangers of specialization and benefits…

Argues against concept of one best way for educating American public school students based on the ideological or pedagogical beliefs of any single individual or group. Calls for local school districts to exercise multiple concepts of education focused on giving all students an equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream. (Contains 16…