Against the Odds: How "At-Risk" Students Exceed Expectations

"In Against the Odds, Janine Bempechat shines a spotlight on theways in which parents affect their children's motivation to achievein school. But, unlike previous work that disparages parents oflow-achieving students?particularly those from low-income or ethnicminority backgrounds?Bempechat focuses on families whose childrenare succeeding, often despite poverty, racism, and inadequateschools. Written in an engaging, accessible style, Against the Oddsis a valuable resource for all teachers, parents, and scholarsinterested in how families can promote children's achievement inschool." --Susan D. Holloway, adjunct professor of education,Department of Education, University of California, Berkeley

"Bempechat's well-written book takes a fresh look at vitalquestions about the academic achievement of minority children. Herexamination of academically successful children within severaldifferent ?at-risk' ethnic groups yields unconventional andoriginal insights about how children are socialized for schooling.A valuable contribution to the literature on achievement andmotivation in multiethnic nations!" --Herbert P. Ginsburg, Jacob H.Schiff Foundation professor of psychology and education, TeachersCollege, Columbia University

"Against the Odds is a wise and practical blAnd of research andexperience written to be understood by teachers and parents. JanineBempechat has written a book we all need to read, one that willstretch us in nurturing the development of ?at risk' children."--Sister Ann Dominic Roach, superintAndent of schools, Archdioceseof Boston