Rising Inequality, Schools, and Children's Life Chances

Moderator: Hiro Yoshikawa, professor of education and academic dean,

HGSE Speakers:

• Greg Duncan, distinguished professor in the department of education, University of California, Irvine
• Richard Murnane, Thompson Professor of Education and Society, HGSE

Discussant: Christopher Jencks, Ed.M.'59, Malcolm Wiener Professor of Social Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

Greg Duncan and Richard Murnane, editors, will discuss highlights from the book Whither Opportunity?: Rising Inequality, Schools, and Children's Life Chances; followed by a roundtable discussion with Christopher Sandy Jencks. In Whither Opportunity? a distinguished team of economists, sociologists, and experts in social and education policy examine the corrosive effects of growing family income inequality on children's school attainments and labor market prospects.

This groundbreaking book illuminates the ways rising inequality is operating through disadvantaged neighborhoods, insecure labor markets and schools to undermine one of the most important goals of public education — the ability of schools to provide children with an equal chance at academic and economic success. For a sneak peek at this forum, listen to "The Core Problem" EdCast with Richard Murnane.