Conducting educational research is a complex endeavor, even within familiar contexts. Researchers conducting studies in the Pacific region face such challenges such as multiple languages and time zones, frequent shifts in political power, social interactions based on traditional extended family connections, great distances, and cultural factors…

The article presents suggestions for developing multicultural activities with special education groups including Black awareness activities, Hispanic awareness activities, Asian/Pacific Islander awareness activities, and American Indian awareness activities. A calendar identifying holidays and important dates celebrated by these groups is…

This guide provides information and resources for Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, May 6-13, 1989. It is intended to support the Portland (OR) Public Schools' multicultural goal of increasing students' understanding and appreciation of the history, culture, and contributions of different geocultural groups. The document contains seven…

Principals in the Pacific region face a variety of challenges that may be different from those in other regions. In October 2000, principals of Pacific schools were invited to attend a regional summit to address questions on instructional leadership. Participants listed characteristics they felt were important in a Pacific school instructional…

The article presents general information on the history, cultures, and languages of the major Asian/Pacific immigrant and refugee groups. Knowledge required to become a cross-cultural communicator is outlined, including professional knowledge, skills, and attitudes; knowledge of cultures, languages, and discourse styles; and knowledge of family…

This report on the educational concerns of Asian and Pacific Islanders is part of a four-part study of minority education in the United States by the National Education Association (NEA). Data were gathered from 14 site visits to a wide variety of schools and programs and from the testimony of over 50 representatives of community organizations,…

Ethnographic assessment is recommended in the language evaluation of Asian-Pacific American students. Procedures are outlined for collecting data representative of the student's repertoire; for determining how cultural, linguistic, and experiential factors affect student behavior; and for taking the perspective of the student as well as that of…

Discusses the impact of increased numbers of Asian and Pacific Islander students in the context of special education. Stresses the importance of special education services that address the diverse cultural and linguistic characteristics of these students, and of parental involvement. (Author/DB)

The document contains ten presentations (or summaries) given at a 1986 special education symposium on cultural differences and parent programs with emphasis on the Pacific states and territories of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Trust Territory, and Washington. Two…

An urgent educational crisis threatens the futures of a growing number of Asian Pacific American students, both immigrant and American-born. This crisis is largely invisible to most Americans, even to many in the teaching profession, because many see all Asian Pacific American students as members of a model minority destined to excel. This image…

This book considers, from both educational and cultural perspectives, the needs of children with deafness from African American, American Indian, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Island families. The text calls for a child-centered curriculum based on a fundamental acceptance of differences in communication and interpretation. Section I presents the…

The diversity that actually exists among Asian-Pacific American students is explored, and the most common stereotypes that mainstream teachers have of them are described. Teachers often express a preference for working with Asian-Pacific American students, but judging students on stereotypes, even positive ones, neglects individual differences and…

In recent years a body of research has begun to emerge to document, analyze, and offer practical suggestions and policy-oriented recommendations on the contemporary and historical educational experiences and issues of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Among the many factors that contributed to the prior neglect of these issues was the…

This appendix to the 14th annual report on implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act contains reports on progress in addressing the needs of two special populations: migrant students with disabilities and Native Pacific Basin and Native Hawaiian students with disabilities. Migrant students with disabilities tend to have…

Although to many educators Asian Pacific American students seem to look and be alike and are perceived as model minority students, they actually represent many diverse cultural groups and complex communities, both recently arrived and of long standing in the United States. Difficulties that may arise between the new immigrant and U.S.-born…