Findings from a study of the status of Hispanic Americans in South Minneapolis (Minnesota) are presented. Data are from interviews with 34 individuals identified as knowledgeable about the conditions of Latinos in Minneapolis, 4 focus group meetings with an additional 46 community residents, and information from published sources about the size…

This booklet for Spanish-speaking parents of young children with disabilities describes Colorado's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. It explains guidelines, shares family stories and reflections for families and care providers, and the describes the values that drive the IFSP process in Colorado. Information is provided on…

This report presents Arizona dropout statistics for 4 academic years, 1994-98. For each year, dropout rates are reported for grades 7-12 and are based on a calendar year running from the first day of summer recess through the last day of school. Most of the report consists of data tables that provide enrollment and dropout information for…

Libraries have played an important role in developing and operating programs which enhance English-language skills and ease assimilation into U.S. society. This report presents descriptions of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grants which funded library programs and projects benefitting individuals with limited English-speaking…

Students' performances on mathematical problems varying in symbolic form and the kinds of symbolic representations and translation used in instruction were explored. The sample consisted of 29 students enrolled in Algebra II in a summer program for minority students. All students were Black or Hispanic American and most were about to enter grade…

These guidelines have been developed to help the Maryland Department of Education and Maryland schools divest themselves of racial and sexual biases in the educational materials they produce and use. The information on equitable treatment of the sexes contains general content and language usage guidelines and examples to help avoid sexual…

An analysis was done of recently released 1990 Census data on wage levels for full-time workers. The analysis found that the proportion of full-time, year-round workers who are paid low wages jumped between 1979 and 1990. In 1979, 12.1 percent of full-time, year-round workers were paid low wages, but 18 percent were paid low wages in 1990. Low…

This practicum attempted to increase the number of minority elementary students in prekindergarten through grade 5 found eligible for placement in a gifted program by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the screening instruments and by providing inservice training to increase the understanding of gifted characteristics and program…

This study examined the interpersonal dynamics of participants in special education placement committees serving students with limited English proficiency. The theoretical and conceptual framework of Chris Argyris and Donald Schon was applied to interactions observed in simulated placement committee meetings. Individual decision making related to…

Results are presented of an experiment involving the reactions toward accented speakers by immigrated native and near-native proficient English speakers from the same Spanish-speaking ethnolinguistic background. It was hypothesized that: (1) the negative reactions of listeners reflected an observable association with a geographic location such as…

A study examined how self-efficacy, causal attribution, and outcome expectancy beliefs are related to reading and writing for ethnically diverse college freshmen and whether the patterns of belief-performance relationships for ethnically diverse students are similar to those found for white, middle class populations. Subjects in the ethnic sample…

This newsletter contains five articles on the implications of school choice for minority and disadvantaged students. "School Choice: Choices for Whom? Promises and Panaceas," by Maria Robledo Montecel, discusses some major problems related to school choice and vouchers, particularly who would have the choice (families or schools), who…

This digest addresses factors that may influence college completion and academic success for Hispanic students, particularly Mexican American students, enrolled in community college and four-year institutions. Recent research suggests that institutional practices in high schools have much to do with the low postsecondary participation rates of…

Empowerment theory suggests that changes in beliefs and attitudes contribute to the participation of individuals in social change. It assumes that in order for individuals to work for the collective good, they must develop a sense of critical consciousness. This study uses experimental methods to test the application of this theory to the Latino…

Site visits to three New England prisons were conducted to gather information on the multicultural environments of Hispanic prison inmates and to identify English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teaching materials available for use with Hispanic American inmates. Available materials were located, and the materials' effectiveness was discussed with…