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Race, Education, and Social Reproduction: A Study of Educational Careers in the United States

Merolla, David M.

Abstract Details

2010, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology.
While disparities in educational attainment between racial groups are a persistent and well-documented feature of American society, questions remain as to how race structures differences in the educational career trajectories of students. For instance, recent sociological studies have found that controlling for family background minority students are more likely to attend college than white students are. Yet it is not known whether this pattern is specific to college enrollment or if this pattern is a feature of earlier educational experiences as well. Additionally, many sociological studies have focused on differences in aspirational orientations and school characteristics as important aspects in the etiology of racial disparities in educational outcomes. However, it is not know how the impact of these factors changes over the course of student careers, or how changes in the impact of these variables contribute to racial disparities in educational outcomes. To address these issues, I analyze how racial disparities in educational attainment are produced using an empirical model of educational careers. Findings indicate that racial differences in educational careers begin in early grades and take a different form at different points in student educational careers. For instance, while aspirational variables do not change the pattern of racial differences in early grades, these variables become increasing important as students progress in their educational careers. These and other findings indicate that current sociological understandings of racial inequalities in education need re-specified to better understand contemporary racial disparities in educational outcomes.
C. Andre Christie-Mizell, PhD (Committee Chair)
Richard Serpe, PhD (Committee Member)
Cheryl Elman, PhD (Committee Member)
Amoaba Gooden, PhD (Committee Member)
Clare Stacey, PhD (Committee Member)
144 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Merolla, D. M. (2010). Race, Education, and Social Reproduction: A Study of Educational Careers in the United States [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1270753697

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Merolla, David. Race, Education, and Social Reproduction: A Study of Educational Careers in the United States. 2010. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1270753697.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Merolla, David. "Race, Education, and Social Reproduction: A Study of Educational Careers in the United States." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1270753697

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)