Since the publication of the Coleman report in the US many decades ago, it has been widely accepted that the evidence that schools are marginal in the grand scheme of academic achievement is conclusive. Despite this, educational policy across the world remains focused almost exclusively on schools. With contributions from such figures as Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Doris Entwistle and Richard Arum this book is an important contribution to a debate that has implications across the board in social sciences and policy-making. It will be required reading for students and academics within sociology, economics and education and should also find a place on the bookshelves of education policy-makers.

Contents:
1. How Do Parents Matter
2. Family Background, Education Determination and Policy Implications
3. Young Children's Achievement in School and Socioeconomic Background
4. Macro Causes, Micro Effects
5. Fathers: An Overlooked Resource for Children's Educational Success
6. Intergenerational Assets and the Black/White Test Score Gap
7. Teenage Employment and High School Completion
8. School-Community Relationships...