This book represents a major advance in examining the problem of how to reduce inequalities in the educational and occupational attainment of students from different socio-economic, ethnic and race group backgrounds. It integrates qualitative and quantitative research orientations and methodologies. A set of family and school measures is included that might be used by researchers and students as they examine the context theory, and by educators involved in school reform programs.

1. A Model of Family and School Capital. 2. Family Background, Family Structure and Students' Outcomes. 3. Family Educational Capital and Students' Outcomes. 4. School Structures and Students' Outcomes. 5. School Capital and Outcomes. 6. Interpretive Analysis of Families and Schools. 7. Family and School Capital: Interpretive Analyses. 8. A Theory of Students' School Outcomes. Appendices. A. Family Capital Scale. B. School Attitude Scale. C. Perceived Family Capital Scale. D. Perceived School Capital Scale. References. Author Index. Subject Index.