Nurturing potential is a critical aspect of development for young children with and without disabilities, especially if a child is gifted. This article provides resources that offer ideas for family members and professionals on how to recognize and support each child's strengths. Many of the materials specifically address nurturing potential in…

This article presents a review of five chapters in "Part II, Section C: Diversifying Curriculum" of "The SAGE Handbook of Curriculum and Instruction" (F. M. Connelly, M. F. He, J. I. Phillion, Eds.; Sage Publications, 2008). The reviewers suggest that in these chapters ["Curriculum and Cultural Diversity" (Gloria Ladson-Billings, Keffrelyn D.…

This article describes 6 aids for science instruction, including (1) the use of fudge to represent lava; (2) the "Living by Chemistry" program, designed to make high school chemistry more accessible to a diverse pool of students without sacrificing content; (3) NOAA and NSTA's online coral reef teaching tool, a new web-based "science toolbox" for…

Reviews a collection of high-quality books in Spanish which can help encourage Spanish-speaking children and adolescents to read. From creative books for the very young to the lives of famous women, to fantasies and animated traditional tales, these recently published books are designed to appeal to Spanish speakers and those wishing to learn…

Reviews two books: "Beyond Affirmative Action: Reframing the Context of Higher Education" (Robert A. Ibarra) and "Diversity Challenged: Evidence on the Impact of Affirmative Action" (Gary Orfield and Michael Kurlaender). Discusses what is known about affirmative action in higher education, what educators consider affirmative action's appropriate…

James Traub, in his report for the "New York Times Magazine," suggests that some "adaptive" techniques, such as cascading applicants to other colleges and particular administrative approaches, will provide the benefits of affirmative action without its drawbacks. This is a misleading message. Adaptive techniques will not offset…

Discusses the importance of including interracial storybooks in today's diverse classrooms, explaining the benefits of using such literature (e.g., building a sound personal identity for children with mixed ancestors, promoting knowledge and skills for a global society, and developing an appreciation for diversity). Reviews eight books with…

Richard Rothstein's booklet "What Do We Know About Declining (Or Rising) Student Achievement?" claims that anecdotes about past educational practices are unreliable and difficult to relate to today's schools. Curricula and tests change; so do student populations. There are no solid historical measures, including three well-known…

Reviews five books that represent important reading for Chapter 1 teachers, compensatory education teacher, administrators of such programs, and classroom teachers who instruct at-risk youth or diverse student populations. (RS)

Reviews Kilbride's book on diversity and its consequences for young children, families, and caregivers; meeting children's needs; and practicing diversity in and shaping the future of early childhood education. Notes that the book's strengths include its standardized and consistent chapter format, its substance, and comprehensive scope. Suggests…

Reviews two books on white identity in multicultural education, examining trends toward linking white race consciousness to effective multicultural pedagogy (which multicultural proponents either embrace or ignore) and discussing whether this discourse advances the field. Suggests that if these texts are designed for preparing white teachers for…

Explores ways teacher educators can create learning spaces in their classrooms that may initiate explorations of self, beliefs, ideologies, and practice that embrace the diversity of all students. (SLD)

Reviews Pianta and Cox's book, which covers the significance of early school transitions; the ecology of transitions into and through kindergarten; facilitating transitions for children from diverse backgrounds; and implications of the kindergarten transition. Cautions that while the book provides a strong empirical foundation, it does not provide…

Five reviewers of "School Choice and Competition: Markets in the Public Interest?" (Routledge, 1998), by Philip Woods, Carl Bagley, and Ron Glatter, critique this comprehensive study of three educational quasi-markets in Great Britain. Areas such as social stratification, overall student achievement, diversity, and innovation appear to…

This document describes three different programs at three California Community Colleges, each of which has as its aim to improve their ability to serve an expanding and increasingly diverse student population. The programs are: (1) Project MATCH (Mentors Act To Change History) at the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD); (2) The Disabled…