Inequality in the Promised Land: Race, Resources, and Suburban Schooling

Abstract

Nestled in neighborhoods of varying degrees of affluence, suburban public schools are typically better resourced than their inner-city peers and known for their extracurricular offerings and college preparatory programs. Despite the glowing opportunities that many families associate with suburban schooling, accessing a district's resources is not always straightforward, particularly for black and poorer families. Moving beyond class- and race-based explanations, Inequality in the Promised Land focuses on the everyday interactions between parents, students, teachers, and school administrators i. Welcome to Rolling Acres -- From concerted cultivation to opportunity hoarding -- Segmented suburbia -- Making your public school private : parental engagement, social networks and educational customization -- A few bad apples are racist -- Culture as hidden classroom resource -- Black exodus -- Hope in the promised land.