Framing Dropouts: Notes on the Politics of an Urban High School (Teacher Empowerment Sch

by Michelle Fine

"I think this is the most important work I have read in over a decade on the sociology and politics of school dropouts. Fine combines a narrative structure with a rigorous theoretical discourse that allows the reader to both hear the voices of those involved in the dropout situation as well as to have the opportunity to reflect critically on the ideological and material forces that structure the dropout issue as a social problem. I am convinced that it will be a major influence in the field and will establish a new theoretical standard for inquiry into the area of school dropouts." -- Henry A. Giroux, Professor and Renown Scholar in Residence, Department of Educational Leadership, Miami University

"As a critical ethnography, this manuscript is thoughtful, compassionate, and compelling. Fine is able to document the 'braiding' of race, class, gender in sophisticated ways and this is one of the text's greatest strengths. The link between those who 'drop out' and the restriction of critique is powerfully achieved. Fine has successfully re-presented the complexities of urban education. She should be applauded for her integration of black and feminist theorists. I believe this text is pioneering. It opens the literature on adolescents placed at risk to include contexts previously ignored. This should be required reading for all school personnel, future teachers, and those associated with educational contexts." -- Deborah P. Britzman, Department of Education, State University of New York, Binghamton

"What Fine does is show us in depth the reality of the situation we often wish would just go away. We are forced to confront what pain is engendered by our public institutions and consider how we might take up the challenge to do something about it." -- Roger I. Simon, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's incredible and sad how easily I was able to forget the date that this book was written. Unfortunately, these inequalities faced by urban young people in regards to their education still exist, and this text remains relevant. This is a rich explanation of why students drop out of school which calls us to critique the educational institution and make critical changes to allow for a truly more equal opportunity for quality education and a complete education. An absolute classic.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would consider this one a classic. It was written about high schools in the 80's, but much of it is still true and the author's writing style is something to be emulated.

[Amanda Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

really telling about the way big school systems screw kids over because of pressure from above and under

[Bruce Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong, deep ethnography of a low-income, multi-cultural high school. Risky conclusions. Framed within critical consciousness and public sphere theory.