Ethnographic data were used to address the challenge of parent-professional interaction in the cross-cultural context of 12 Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican American families from low income backgrounds with learning-disabled or mildly mentally retarded children in special education. Illustrations from parent conferences show how parent participation…

Studies the long-term effects of transitional (TBE) and maintenance (MBE) bilingual instructional programs on development of native and English oral language proficiency for 125 TBE-instructed Vietnamese and 298 MBE-instructed Hispanic American children from kindergarten through second grade. Discusses significant findings on positive and negative…

The extent and impact of racial and ethnic segregation in California high schools in the 1988-89 school year are examined, using data on 896 high schools and 198,127 twelfth-grade students. Racial segregation and ethnic segregation are widespread. Segregation can lead to achievement differences across schools and among ethnic groups. (SLD)

Argues that deficit/deficiency explanations of minority groups' poor academic performance and attrition at higher education levels are untenable. A cultural difference perspective suggests practical means to identify solutions to these phenomena. College faculty must assume responsibility for adapting instructional and counseling services to…

A class in racial tolerance, now in its third year at New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn's (New York City) Bensonhurst section, is being replicated in 15 other schools. The weekly year-long class traces the civil rights movement and examines causes of contemporary racial strife. (SLD)

The Inhabiting Other Lives program is an intensive effort to acquaint public high school teachers in Miami (Florida) with the literature and arts of different cultures. It is hoped that these teachers will give their students in the ethnically diverse Dade County school system an appreciation of cultural differences. (SLD)

Analysis of data on 2,000 children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth suggests that maternal intelligence is a significant predictor of scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised. The HOME Inventory short forms used in the study are appended. (LB)

Teachers' perceptions of behavior and social skills, peer and self-perceptions of social status, and academic achievement were examined for 239 kindergartners in the fall and spring. Students were classified as learning disabled (LD) prior to identification and low, average, and high achievers. Social difficulties of LD students are discussed.…

Describes a difficult sixth grade girl who spent her elementary school years fighting to feel happy. The article focuses on a teacher's efforts to raise the child's self-esteem by examining her home life then taking appropriate steps to encourage success (e.g., tutoring younger students). (SM)

A national study of 14 alternative secondary schools (urban, rural, and suburban) enrolling students at risk of dropping out suggests that effective schools provide at-risk students with a community of support and can prevent students from dropping out. Eight policy recommendations comprise a youth policy agenda for states and communities. (SLD)

The South Academic Leadership Student Association (SALSA) has involved 20 at-risk students, mostly Hispanic American, from South Division High School in Milwaukee (Wisconsin). Tutoring for and by students, enrichment, and support activities such as counseling are components of the project, which attempts to bring resources into the school setting.…

Postwar transformation of U.S. cities gave new form to longstanding racial and economic educational inequities, intensifying barriers to achievement facing disadvantaged students. By concentrating disadvantaged students in inferior innercity schools, educational problems are intensified. Bureaucratic school systems do little to address new…

A study investigated the relationship of role strains, life events stresses, and minority status (Arfican American, Chicano, Latino, or Pillipino) on the psychological and academic adjustment of 163 minority first-year students at a major university. Results confirmed the hypothesis that minority status confers additional stress and is associated…

Investigates the relationship between social studies classroom environment and student motivation. Correlates several environmental variables with three motivational constructs (academic motivation, academic self-concept, and social self-concept) among 157 sixth grade, predominantly Hispanic students. Finds student satisfaction significantly…

Examined the relationship between literacy development and sociocultural aspects. Identified some cognitive processes in biliteracy acquisition through categorizing children's work according to Piaget's active learner categories that show learners constructing knowledge for different purposes. Results suggest that these cognitive processes are…