Unfinished Business: Closing the Racial Achievement Gap in Our Schools (Jossey-Bass Education) (Hardcover)

~ Pedro A. Noguera (Editor), Jean Yonemura Wing (Editor) "If ever there were a need to identify a school district that could vividly illustrate the phenomenon now commonly referred to as the achievement gap,..." (more)
Key Phrases: Berkeley High, Diversity Project, African American (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pedro A. Noguera and Jean Yonemura Wing (2006) in their edited volume, Unfinished Business: Closing the Racial Achievement Gap in Our Schools, address this ongoing problem of what it will take to fulfill the promise of education reform and educate all students to high levels -- using the Berkeley High School Diversity Project as a case study.... The editors focus on the possibilities for achieving these lofty goals through public education, arguably our nation's most equitable and democratic institution." (Teachers College Record, October 2006)

"Unfinished Business was written because of the belief that public education is vital for a healthy democracy and that schools can play a decisive role in making our nation less divided and fractured on the basis of race, class, culture, gender, and language." (Teachers College Record, October 2006)

Product Description

In this groundbreaking book, co-editors Pedro Noguera and Jean Yonemura Wing, and their collaborators investigated the dynamics of race and achievement at Berkeley High School–a large public high school that the New York Times called “the most integrated high school in America.” Berkeley’s diverse student population clearly illustrates the “achievement gap” phenomenon in our schools. Unfinished Business brings to light the hidden inequities of schools–where cultural attitudes, academic tracking, curricular access, and after-school activities serve as sorting mechanisms that set students on paths of success or failure.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (March 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787972754
• ISBN-13: 978-0787972752
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #565,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique in its own diversity, November 19, 2006

By	Nicholas Paget-Clarke (San Diego, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An excellent book, unique in its own diversity. The "Book Description" and "Inside Flap" above give a good description of how this book is about the science of the research and organizing of the Berkeley High School Diversity Project, I just wanted to add a little about how the telling of the book itself expresses an understanding of diversity.

To me, the book is about the importance of education for everyone in our diverse society and how one project, one school, one community looked into achieving this education. My view is that the way Unfinished Business accomplishes this is by presenting highly researched data through both the analysis of the researchers and the writings of the people who are the data -- the students, the parents, the teachers, the school staff. Additionally, the book's content encompasses research, school and community use and understanding of research, and personal reflection. I was continually surprised at where the "plot" of the book went -- at the discoveries, the observations, and conclusions I did not expect to read. This is an important book about the process of education and civil rights.

4.0 out of 5 stars recommended core information, October 17, 2008

By	D. Moment - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

for parents teachers and students. This book answers the questions I always though someone else already asked, I just didn't know where to find the answers. It's a must read.