After reading this chapter, you should be able to

1. Identify the most pressing social context issues challenging educators in today’s schools, and what issues in particular impact the schools in your state or region.

2. Analyze how curricula used in your state or school district is influenced by the social context of teachers, communities in which the school is located, and political decisions.

3. Describe some of the nonacademic challenges faced by children and youth as they make their way through school.