“This updated edition is a timely and practical resource for practitioners and researchers alike…. Conchas’s work, once again, confirms that positive reforms are possible. Anyone who shares a commitment to social justice in education will find compelling and valuable insights towards this imperative goal in the pages that follow.”
—From the Foreword by Cynthia Feliciano, professor of sociology, Washington University in St. Louis
“The Color of Success 2.0 interrogates the paradox of social inequity and equal opportunity and cogently concludes that we can't afford to give up on public education. Conchas centers the voices and perspectives of Vietnamese, Latine, and Black youth and educational leaders to highlight what it takes to support student success. This is an important book that meaningfully extends the original text.”
—Stacey J. Lee, Vilas Research Professor & Frederick Erickson WARF Professor of Educational Policy Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison
“Conchas radically transformed our understanding of high-achieving youth of color in the first edition of his book. This student-centered, strength-based second edition has been powerfully reimagined with updated literature and fieldwork, critical analysis, and contemporary political context, making it essential reading for anyone compelled to support minoritized students’ academic success.”
—Terah Venzant Chambers, professor and associate dean, Michigan State University
“Conchas revisits and expands upon his groundbreaking exploration of how minoritized youth achieve academic success against the odds in urban, low-income communities. Diving deeper into the sociocultural processes that facilitate these achievements, Conchas’s work stands out for its focus on what works, providing a beacon of hope and a guide for educational practice and policy. This edition delves into the powerful role of institutional agents and educational leadership in fostering environments where students not only succeed academically, but thrive. Amidst a backdrop of increased racial disparities and political polarization, Conchas’s work is more urgent than ever, offering actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and anyone committed to educational equity. This book is an essential resource for understanding and implementing transformative pathways in today’s educational landscape.”
—Victor M. Ríos, MacArthur Foundation Chair and professor of sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara
“Conchas has done it once again. In The Color of Success 2.0 he beautifully sheds a much-needed spotlight on the intersectional complexities of young people’s lives. But he does it by invoking their voices, their perspectives, and highlights the genius they possess despite structural barriers that limit their possibilities. This book is a bold call for educational leaders to listen, learn, and act!”
—Tyrone C. Howard, professor of education, UCLA School of Education & Information Studies
Praise for the First Edition
“At last! Gilberto Conchas marshals the power of mixed-method research to examine and explain achievement in urban high schools.”
—Jeannie Oakes, Presidential Professor and Director, UCLA's Institute for Democracy Education & Access (IDEA)
“This brilliant and important book sheds light on a phenomenon of great and growing importance: What works in the schooling of minority youth? The answers are riveting and a lasting tribute to the human spirit to reach higher.”
—Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco, The Courtney Sale Ross University Professor of Globalization and Education, New York University
“Going beyond conventional accounts of school failure, Gilberto Conchas provides insight into the cultural processes and structural forces that contribute to high achievement among urban youth.”
—Hugh Mehan, Director, CREATE, University of California, San Diego
“A stereotype-breaking book that turns school failure on its head.”
—Patricia Gándara, University of California, Davis
