Although studying music at school can be an enriching and enjoyable experience, it is an unpopular choice for many Hong Kong senior secondary students. The purpose of this study was to examine the rationale behind the low enrolment of music as a Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) subject. A questionnaire was conducted among senior…

Study abroad programs have proven beneficial for both the international student as well as the domestic community and school population interacting with the student. In an effort to promote cultural awareness, intercultural communications as well as opportunities for future study abroad program success, universities must take care to provide…

The majority of American educators are White, middle class, and female and most textbooks and articles about and for preservice teachers assume its readers reflect these characteristics. However, as the K-12 student population becomes increasingly diverse, so do the preservice teacher candidates at our Southern California public university. This…

In recent years, Canadian schools have developed new policies and practices in their approaches to both diversity policy and curriculum development. Public schools once intended to homogenize a diverse population have been transformed to institutions designed to foster tolerance and respect for diversity. Curricula previously organized around…

The author describes five common misconceptions concerning the role of education in the alleviation of poverty. Implications for public policy are suggested. (JH)

Four papers on responding to diversity in the schools were presented at the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory's Urban School Leadership Mini-Conference. This document presents two, a framework for the discussions by John Attinasi and an exploration of how differences in culture and language affect academic achievement. "Academic…

Based on intensive interviews and observations in a scientifically selected sample of over 100 Israeli schools, this study presents a detailed picture of the characteristics of school curricula and cultures, and the attitudes and expectations of students, teachers, principals, and parents with regard to curriculum and school culture in the…

The six major conference papers collected in this document focus on developing ways of facilitating equity and academic achievement in a desegregated setting. The psychological impact of fostering these expectations among multicultural populations, methods for involving minority students in a science and math high-tech curriculum, and methods for…

Multicultural philosophies, issues, content, materials, and techniques must be infused throughout the entire teacher-education program. This paper discusses sociocultural developments that substantiate the need for multicultural education in teacher education, essential components of multicultural education that must be included, and how and where…

In an effort to cross boundaries and make connections between theory, research, and academic planning, Prince George's Community College in Maryland (PGCC) and the University of Maryland University College's Institute for Research on Adults in Higher Education (IRAHE) developed a partnership using national and institutional research to link theory…

Despite disagreement about the value of multicultural education, schools are putting some multicultural learning into the curricula already in place. This guide for parents describes the different ways that schools are teaching multiculturalism. Some schools emphasize programs that focus on information and teach about different cultural groups by…

Questions about student diversity are examined by considering the extent to which society serves the interests of all, and by examining the empowerment of members of oppressed groups to direct social change. The contributions of multicultural education to empowering young people are highlighted. After an introduction by Christine E. Sleeter, the…

This article reviews the relationship between ethnicity and early academic success and examines the rationales of several ethnic groups for the education of their young children. An implication is made that "all" American children reflect cultural group diversity. It is recommended that early childhood educational programs should be…

This annotated bibliography provides some of the best resources available to help practitioners create high-achieving learning environments where all children have the opportunity for success. The bibliography is based on the six principles according to which resources are grouped: (1) school policies and practices demonstrate respect for and…

This paper first explores the problem of increased cultural diversity in public education and then offers suggestions and guidelines for educators in the creation of an anti-biased classroom and curriculum. Case studies of two Hispanic students illustrate the role of acculturation and the middle school classroom setting and curriculum on academic…