Here is a book about the causes of violence and failure in America's schools. In it, H. Roy Kaplan helps explain why children underachieve, drop out, withdraw, become angry, and commit violent acts. Kaplan presents case studies from his experiences conducting workshops and mediating conflicts in schools with students, teachers, and administrators. He focuses on interpersonal relations among these groups and demonstrates that much of the conflict and low academic achievement in schools is the result of clashes over communication, fairness, class, and race. Readers will see how conflicts arise and what simple steps can be taken to prevent or alleviate them. Many administrators and teachers will benefit from learning about the methods discussed in this book and be able to integrate them into their schools without sacrificing traditional curricula. These techniques will lead to more harmonious and productive learning environments in schools and improve student and staff morale. This book is must reading for parents, teachers, and school administrators, and should be required for education majors and their professors. See new edition: Failing Grades: The Quest for Equity in America's Schools, Second Edition