Affirmative Development makes the case theoretically for deliberate intervention to develop academic ability for students not naturally disposed to develop such ability by the conditions under which they live. The book includes discussions of intellective competence and intellective character as products of the development of academic ability and reviews of the research evidence for the feasibility and morality of such action.

Part 1 Part I: Affirmative Action and Affirmative Development Chapter 2 Toward the Development of Intellective Character Chapter 2 Intellective Competence: The Universal Currency in Technologically Advanced Societies Chapter 3 Intelligence as a Socialized Phenomenon Chapter 4 Affirmative Development as an Alternative to Affirmative Action Chapter 5 Meritocracy and the Opportunity to Learn Chapter 6 Cultural Experience, Academic Cultures and Academic Ability Part 7 Part II: Affirmative Development of Academic Ability Chapter 8 The Curriculum and Its Functions Chapter 9 The Teaching and Learning of Intellective Competence Chapter 10 Psychosocial Processes in the Cultivation of Intellective Competence: The Interpenetration of Affective, Cognitive, and Situative Processes in Intellective Behavior Chapter 11 Politicalization: A Neglected Pedagogical Process Chapter 12 The Problem of Transfer and Adaptability: Applying the Learning Sciences to the Challenge of the Acheivement Gap Chapter 14 Task Force Report on the Affirmative Development of Academic Ability: All Students Reaching the Top: Strategies for Closing Academic Achievement Gaps