Against the Odds

Bempechat's well-written book takes a fresh look at vital questionsabout 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 ofpsychology and education, Teachers College, ColumbiaUniversity From an original position that isolates the factors which predictacademic performance, Harvard professor Janine Bempechat shattersthe myths about success and failure among poor and minoritystudents. With sound analysis and practical advice, Bempechat givesparents, educators?and anyone interested in the well-being ofchildren?hope and inspiration as they strive for academicexcellence in children. Focusing on the factors that contribute to academic success?ratherthan analyzing the conditions that lead to failure andunderachievement?Bempechat's book is a unique contribution to theunderstanding of societal and cultural effects on learning. Againstthe Odds reveals that high-achieving children, no matter what theirethnic or cultural background, have similar perceptions about theirparents' educational beliefs and practices. And, surprisingly,Bempechat's research counters the commonly held view that academicsuccess is tied primarily to an individual's belief ineffort. Written for teachers, psychologists, counselors, mentors?anyoneinterested in the welfare of children?Against the Odds is a guideto help create policy and curricula that will foster excellence andenable children?rich, middle-class, poor, minority, nonminority?toachieve their full potential.

"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

JANINE BEMPECHAT is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Psychology at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.