School Kids/street Kids: Identity Development in Latino Students

Only 62% of Latinos have completed high school, while 94% of Whites and 87% of African Americans have done so. School Kids/Street Kids examines who drops out and who graduates-and why-among Puerto Rican students in an urban high school.

Using role-identity theory, Flores-González explains how some students develop what she terms a "school-kid" identity that enables them to succeed in school, while others develop a "street-kid" identity and drop out. Based on a year-long study and in-depth interviews with Latino students, this book explores the implications of taking one of these identities-which determines whether a student becomes, in Flores-González's words, a "stayer," a "leaver," or a "returner" to high school.

School Kids/Street Kids describes the socio-psychological dimensions of student identity development and the effect that school practices have on them. It also offers recommendations on how schools can facilitate the development of school-kid identities among Latinos and discusses how school reform can lead to their school success.