This book engages the formative influence on composition studies of the landmark 1974 ""Students' Right"" to Their Own Language resolution. Combining elements of documentary history and a collection of original scholarship, The Hope and the Legacy enables current professional hopes for the teaching of writing to be invigorated and informed by the lessons available within the legacy of debate over issues raised by ""Students' Right."" These include issues of racial identity and language diversity, social justice and literacy education, language policies and teacher attitudes, and classroom...