Educational policymakers have a responsibility to initiate programs that will address the diverse needs of Black girls and help them overcome the damaging effects of race and sex role stereotyping. (Author/KH)

Addresses difficulties in the mentoring relationship, especially of African-American youth. Suggests ways to avoid the risks of "drive-by" mentoring, notes the problem of social distance between mentors and students being mentored, identifies characteristics of ideal mentors, offers guidelines for providing necessary program structure…

This discussion of issues in the mentoring of African-American youth defines mentoring, identifies elements of successful mentoring, stresses the importance of recognizing existing family and community assets, and urges parental involvement and a program philosophy which affirms the value of resiliency in children surviving in difficult…

A survey of 21 special education administrators in Ohio revealed that they perceived that special education teachers should be involved in multicultural educational training programs with special emphasis on African-American students and their families. Results also revealed that personnel responsible for conducting such in-service programs may…

Examines general instructional strategies and specific intervention programs that are frequently discussed for their potential for improving education for African American students and that have a strong research base and appear particularly promising. Prerequisites for effective implementation of innovative approaches are discussed. Effective…

A case is made for establishing more community-based socialization programs for 10- to 15-year-old black males from disadvantaged families in poor neighborhoods. It is argued that effectively run neighborhood-based programs can accomplish the following: (1) establish caring and nurturing relationships that earn youths' attention and trust; (2)…

The role and function of the school counselor in the school instructional process has been infrequently examined in the recent "school reform" movement. Many of a counselor's duties may center around recordkeeping and evaluation activities. Changes in the instructional and curriculum functions of the school guidance counselor are needed. Planners…

The intent of this paper is to synthesize portions of the African American dialect literature that have relevance for designing, implementing, and evaluating school-based language programs for African American dialect speakers, and also to suggest guidelines for developing such programs. Because the issues reflect divergency and controversy, it is…

This collection of 41 articles examines critical issues in the provision of special services for gifted Asian American, American Indian, Black, and Hispanic American students. The following key issues are addressed for each group: (1) the identification of the gifted in that population; (2) the purpose of the special program for that population;…

Despite the hopes of social scientists and civil rights activists that school desegregation would close the educational gap between blacks and whites, a full generation of effort has not resulted in parity between the achievement levels of black and white students. School desegregation alone is not the answer to ending achievement differences.…

This report is the result of a 2-year study of three ethnic specific schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul (Minnesota). Key informants and public policy makers were interviewed during the first year of the study. In the second year, the parents and teachers at the three schools were both surveyed and interviewed. In all three schools, a sense of…

Apartheid policies adversely affected the health and social status of South African children. South Africa adopted the conceptual framework of the health promoting schools network (HPSN) to address school health comprehensively. The HPSN emphasizes school environment, community involvement, policy development, and appropriate health and social…

Recently developed school programs for African-American male students give strong gender and cultural identity; strengthen social skills, discipline, and self-esteem; and redefine the "manly" African American. Some programs have faced legal and political obstacles. Early evidence of modest success is clear, but the long-term efficacy is…

This paper cites ways to strengthen accreditation preparation and program design through student involvement, cites ongoing benefits of such involvement for the professional development of preservice teachers, and provides examples of student involvement in one regional university's accreditation processes. A student committee was formed at the…

Beginning in 1981, the Bay Shore (New York) School District initiated comprehensive changes in its instructional program. The process, which involved long range planning for 1982-1987 and 1987-1992, used focus groups, survey data, community input, and school-based feedback. Several of the overall goals of these plans are concerned with assuring…