Explores topics related to how families, schools, and communities can use communication to strengthen their partnerships. Discusses how communication empowers participants in a shared-learning process, and explores how attitudes shape communication efforts. Examines the role of culture in the communication process, focusing on how cultural…

Examined conceptions of adulthood among adolescents, emerging adults, and parents of adolescents in Israel. Found widespread support for individualistic criteria for adulthood, such as accepting responsibility for one's actions, deciding on one's own beliefs and values, and becoming financially independent. Found considerable support for…

Based on the hypothesis that students and teachers from non-English speaking nations suffer severe disadvantages when technological interventions are superimposed on existing traditional pedagogical models, this paper examines extent pedagogies, primarily in Asia, and the pressures of having to re-conceptualize what has been a tradition for…

This article explores some problems and recent solutions to the use of norm-referenced testing of children who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD). It describes two promising procedures to provide unbiased assessment of CLD children's language and literacy: the use of processing-dependent measures and of dynamic assessment measures.…

A review of research suggests that the idea of cultural differences in "learning styles" may be used to marginalize and alienate Indigenous students in mainstream educational settings. An awareness of cultural influences can be used more appropriately to further the effectiveness of communication in the classroom and among all…

Provides a comparative study of two different cultures of learning--the Korean and the British. Data are case studies of teaching and learning at the mainstream beginner level: English in Korea and French in Britain. Focuses on how the notion of communicative is interpreted, the idea of "good language learner," and whole-class…

Discusses the use of a sociocultural perspective on learning and learning disabilities for understanding learning problems within culturally diverse groups. Reviews assumptions about ethnicity and culture (supposed homogeneity within cultures) and describes ways to distinguish ethnicity and culture. Discusses implications for assessment,…

Reports findings from case studies of eight gifted minority children in second and third grade who participated in a Project START (Support To Affirm Rising Talent). Discusses factors that promoted and discouraged success in the regular classroom and in transition to special services for gifted learners. (Author/CR)

Technology is not a quick fix for American schools. Technology must be understood as a composite of social forces, cultural influence and values, and technical mechanisms. Argues that educational reform must not look solely to technology but also at the surrounding environments, focusing on macro-level issues: race, ethnicity, class, language and…

Presents strategies for reading visual images. Illustrates how visual systems inform the process of listening for the meaning of foreign language words and phrases. Suggestions are provided on how these strategies apply to a larger curricular program that integrates media into its overall learning objectives. (35 references) (Author/CK)

Examines the effects of migration on parent-child relationships, family hierarchies, economic relationships, kinship, and friendships among Iu Mien Americans. Results reveal significant generational differences exist in values which mediate intergenerational conflicts. Such conflicts are believed to hold important implications for the mental…

Provides several contextual and theoretical frameworks through which to make connections between the articles in this special issue, which examine global trends affecting children and their families in rapidly changing environments. Discusses how cross-national perspectives on issues affecting children and their families are becoming increasingly…

A teacher realized she had been using language in a way that alienated the minority students in her eighth-grade English class. Discusses the language of power, indirect commands, the need to know a variety of speech types, the importance of validating students' language and culture, and the teacher's responsibility to explicitly give students…

Focus groups or interviews with 31 family members and 8 adolescents from minority communities investigated barriers families encountered as their adolescent youth with disabilities move into adulthood. Barriers included insensitivity/discrimination, lack of accommodations, and unresponsive services. Survey findings from 308 parents were consistent…

Examined variations in adolescent time use within Europe and their relation to culture, focusing on organization of free time, most frequent leisure activities, and resulting emotional states. Found that European adolescents spent free time in a range of activities, including electronic media, computer games, playing musical instruments, reading,…