Geared primarily toward the black community and published by the Children's Defense Fund, this report provides background materials and statistical data which communicate the status of black children in America and what can be done to improve it. There are 3 sections in the report. Part 1 describes the conditions of black children and the…

Using data from the same source as that employed in Herrnstein and Murray's book, "The Bell Curve," this study reexamined links between the test scores of mothers and children, paying close attention to what the scores measure and whether these measurements mean the same things for blacks and whites. The study replicated Herrnstein and…

Two editions of the Verbal and Mathematical portions of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) were used to study differential speededness and differential omission and the relationships among differential item functioning (DIF), differential omission, and item difficulty for Asian Americans, Blacks, Hispanics, and females in a total sample exceeding…

A popular method of analyzing test items for differential item functioning (DIF) is to compute a statistic that conditions samples of examinees from different populations on an estimate of ability. This conditioning or matching by ability is intended to produce an appropriate statistic that is sensitive to true differences in item functioning,…

This study explored factors contributing to the educational aspirations of African American students. An underlying assumption of the study was that the paradigm for looking at aspirations as a key predictor of later attainment in college students may work differently for black students than for the general population. The study involved data…

The essays in this collection stress that cultural diversity has always provided the real strength of America. It is argued that Western culture itself is founded on principles that favor a multicultural vision, and that America should reclaim its multiethnic and multilingual heritage. The greatness of America has always depended on the quality of…

Among the recommendations of the "Nation at Risk" report (1983) was that a core curriculum of four units of English, three each of science, social studies, and mathematics, and a half unit of computer science be required. Between 1982 and 1992 the percentage of high school graduates earning the recommended units in core courses increased…

This report illustrates the use of hierarchical linear models (HLM) with National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data to identify school and other correlates of student achievement. Based on an analysis of the 1990 NAEP mathematics achievement data for 4th, 8th, and 12th graders in public schools, this study is part of an ongoing…

Although this book reviews pedagogical and curricular approaches to multiculturalism and addresses the issues of educating the student from different social and cultural backgrounds, it is not about how to teach multiculturalism in the classroom or how to ensure success for the student from a national minority population. Instead, it is an…

Research concerning the roles that race, ethnicity, and culture play in youth development is reviewed; and the implications of this research for the design of youth development programs are analyzed, with recommendations for program planners. The analysis focuses on the various assumptions that have been used with respect to minority youth, the…

The four largest racial and ethnic minorities--African Americans, Hispanics, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians--accounted for 25 percent of the U.S. population in 1992. By 2050, these minorities may account for 47 percent of the U.S. population. The U.S. minority population is also becoming more diverse because of high rates of…

This report presents statistical data in charts, graphs and tables illustrating trends in undergraduate medical school applicants and matriculants over the past decade. It highlights information at the milepost years of 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1992. Major trends are identified in the following areas: (1) the applicant pool (has been increasing since…

Chinese American children's academic performance in the United States has been noteworthy. This longitudinal study investigated sociocultural and family factors that contribute to children's academic achievement in the preschool and primary years. Samples of 40 European American (20 girls, 20 boys) and 40 second-generation Chinese American (20…

This study examined family-based relationships as predictors of social functioning in primary school and the possible protective role of family-based relationships for children at risk for school problems. Longitudinal data gathered on 158 children were used to examine the unique contributions of mother-child attachment classification at ages 1…

The purpose of this digest is to help educators develop a curriculum for multiracial students that fosters their ability to develop a positive identity and achieve academically. To this end, the digest briefly reviews identity formation in multiracial children and then presents schoolwide and classroom strategies that have been shown to be…