Against the Odds

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

"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

• 1. Introduction: Learning from Poor and Minority Students WhoSucceed. 2. Misguided Notions About Underachievement. 3. The Critical Roles of Parents. 4. Children's Understanding of Success and Failure. 5. Success in Mathematics. 6. Overall Success in School. 7. Lessons for Parents and Teachers. 8. "To Seek Mind Where it is Mindful".