Despite the Best Intentions

This book examines the enduring achievement gap in education, particularly focusing on Riverview High School. Despite the Best Intentions offers a nuanced perspective on race and academic performance.

In Despite the Best Intentions, authors John Diamond and Amanda Lewis delve into the persistent achievement gap that exists over half a century after the end of segregation in schools. At first glance, Riverview High School appears to embody the ideals of a post-racial society, showcasing a well-funded, diverse, and liberal educational environment. However, beneath this surface lies a troubling reality: black and Latino students continue to underperform academically compared to their white and Asian peers, despite the seemingly favorable conditions.

Through extensive interviews and data collected over five years, the authors uncover the complexities of academic achievement in a suburban school setting. They reveal how, as students transition from elementary to middle and high school, their academic success increasingly aligns with their racial identities. White and Asian students tend to achieve higher GPAs, excel in standardized tests, and secure better college admissions than their black and Latino counterparts. This raises the critical question of what factors within the school itself might contribute to this disparity.

Despite the Best Intentions challenges conventional explanations for the racial achievement gap, shifting the focus from external influences like poverty to the internal dynamics of the school environment. By exploring the meaning of race in this educational context, Diamond and Lewis provide valuable insights into the complexities of academic disparities and the broader implications for race relations in American society.