Private schools exist to serve other goals than religious ones and these may include unstated discriminatory goals. The author outlines obstacles to minority participation in private schools and points out that federal policy against discrimination in schools will carry over into private schools. (MD)

Notes that it has not been easy to find a discourse to address the ways that unexamined attitudes about race, class, language, and gender perpetuate failure in schools. Describes briefly the work of the Committee on English Education's Commission on Teacher Education for Teachers of Urban, Rural, and Suburban Students of Color and the attempts to…

An American educator evaluates education experts' current infatuation with the Japanese educational system. She cautions against importing Japan's educational methods to the United States and urges educators to look at the cultural values that produce both systems. She provides thoughtful anecdotes from her experiences visiting Japanese schools to…

Suggests how parents can assess a school's effectiveness by examining criterion referenced standardized achievement test results. Discusses (1) which test results will be used, (2) how the data should be analyzed, and (3) into what groups students should be separated to compare test results. (GC)

Analyzes the "deficit theory," which suggests that children from lower socioeconomic environments enter school without the linguistic resources needed for success. Suggests that teachers avoid labeling children as verbally inept when their language does not conform to the teacher's linguistic model. (MM)

Presents concerns of a middle school teacher regarding the possibility that programs designed to enhance teachers' cultural sensitivity might inadvertently serve to emphasize the differences between white teachers and their students of color. Relates how her students dealt with the use of racial epithets by other students. (NH)

Argues a need for in-depth consideration of principles and practices to prepare teachers for classrooms they will face in the future. Notes problems created by the disparity between increasing student diversity and their overwhelmingly white, female English/language arts teachers. Provides an overview of the issues involved and practical ideas for…

Provides information for educational technologists who are considering work as consultants in developing countries. Discusses cultural, societal, and political differences; issues of personnel, funding, and power and telecommunications systems; and selecting media. Suggests guidelines for selecting instructional materials and designing distance…