This book offers a solution to teachers who work with students of diverse backgrounds, readiness and skill levels, and interests. The book describes a way of thinking about teaching and learning called differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction means that teachers begin where students are rather than the front of a curriculum guide,…

This proceedings documents a meeting designed to allow state directors of special education to exchange information about the special education systems in Mexico and the United States, to discuss common issues and concerns related to the provision of educational services for children and youth with disabilities, and to establish collegial…

When educators lack the knowledge, understanding and acceptance of their students' language and culture, especially when it differs from their own, a huge mismatch can and often does occur between school and home. What happens to African American children who are raised speaking Black English but schooled in standard English? How do teachers help…

This study investigated whether data collected from coursework and instructor evaluations of student teacher attitude change were adequate measures of change over a semester. Data analysis involved students enrolled in courses taught in fall 2000 at New Jersey City University. Teachers collected students' biographical data and written responses to…

This bulletin is designed to show some of the ways in which successful teachers work with children in order to establish rapport and to guide them into productive and happy living. This bulletin presents in the main a viewpoint based on the belief that if children live in a friendly school environment rich with experiences and materials that…

Traditional norm-referenced measurement has received criticism concerning cultural unfairness. Responses to such accusations primarily have consisted of new instrumentation aimed at a culture-fair assessment. Little response has addressed a conceptual standpoint concerning issues of purpose and use of test results. Although many have turned to…

This study assessed elementary school students' knowledge of upper respiratory tract infection and correlated it with parental socioeconomic status, ethnic background, and school absences. Schools chosen for the study represented different socioeconomic and ethnic populations. Students had a general knowledge of the etiology, symptoms, treatment,…

Four sections discuss multicultural education in Scotland, i.e., historical background; cultural minorities (Gaels, Lowland Scots speakers, Irish, Asian, and others); minority needs within the educational system; and minorities, majorities, and the wider context. (AH)

The value congruence between educators and students, and the effects of this congruence on student achievement were examined with a sample of 360 Mexican American students, 203 non-Mexican American students and 181 educators. The results indicated that value non-congruent students demonstrated higher achievement levels than value congruent…

Results from Biology Cognitive Preference Inventory taken by grade 12 Jewish (N=406) and Arab (N=297) biology majors revealed similarities between cognitive preferences, achievement, and background variables. Reports that, in spite of substantial cultural and home differences, both groups became oriented toward principles/questioning rather than…

Maintains that dropping out of school is more usefully interpreted in social structural terms rather than as an individual psychological event. Reviews research findings to support the argument that schooling reproduces a class-based society by legitimating the social role of the dropout and allocating students to that devalued status. (Author/MJL)

Difficulties experienced by Italian teachers who are employed by the Federal Republic of Germany to teach native Italian pupils their native tongue are described. Suggestions for improving the training of these teachers are given. (PP)

Item difficulty patterns of four groups of nonreferred, average children (ages 7 1/2 and l0 1/2)--Anglos, Blacks, Chicanos and Bermudians--were compared on each of the verbal subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Item difficulty curves were remarkably parallel. (Author/HLM)

Major cultural characteristics of Arab students (high level of affiliation, pattern of contextuality, significance placed on verbal messages, and educational and experiential background) and the dilemmas they face are described and compared with what American universities expect and offer. Suggestions for counseling and other services are offered.…

Describes the experiences of an itinerant ESL/D resource teacher from the Peel Board (Canada) who has covered, over several years, a large number of K-8 and K-13 schools. Discusses problems encountered and offers guidelines for helping minority group students and establishing good relationships with school staffs. (MES)