Realism in the Sociology of Education: 'Explaining' social differences in attainment

The search for scientific explanation in sociology is an attempt to make statements about the causal mechanisms of social structures. The relationship between techniques of quantitative analysis and explanatory models of the association between social class and educational success, with particular reference to the work of Jencks, Boudon, and Bourdieu, are examined in the context of empirical data from the New Zealand 'Progress at School' project. The position of statistical model-building and non-quantitative studies in a realist sociology of education are explored in an examination of the central problem of the sociology of education: the causes of social differences in educational attainment.     

The rise and fall of choice in Richmond, California

The public school choice plan implemented in Richmond, California in 1987 through 1990 received much favorable publicity at the time, but in 1991 the school district filed for bankruptcy. This paper describes the choice plan and the events leading up to the financial collapse. It also presents trend data on student absenteeism, dropout rates, test scores and school desegregation. There is no evidence that the choice plan produced any improvement in these outcomes. At the same time, the district's financial failure is not necessarily attributable to the choice plan itself, but rather to the imprudent manner in which it was implemented.