Argues that an appropriate reform agenda for urban school districts would require reform characterized by the design of client-centered, authentic respectful organizations that build from the needs and interests of students, rather than the convenience of employers or conventions of traditional schooling. (SLD)

The six articles of this special issue focus on minority issues in program evaluation. The aim is to begin a discussion of minority concerns about the impact of cultural dominance on definitions of social goals, the measurement of outcomes, and the political consequences of the selection of evaluation methods. (SLD)

Considers what constitutes an effective multicultural teacher. Effective multicultural teachers positively acknowledge cultural diversity and use the necessary instructional strategies to enhance learning for all students. Willingness to promote the development of such teachers must become an integral component of teacher education programs. (SLD)

Discusses the current ideological situation on U.S. campuses with respect to cultural diversity and political correctness. It is possible to create a common ground for communication and understanding without requiring everyone who is different to be the same. Multiculturalism can lead the country in reaching its real promise. (SLD)

Presents a lesson designed to analyze cultural practices from the perspective of U.S. laws. Proposes a legal philosophy continuum ranging from universalist to relativist positions. Provides student handouts that present legal case studies involving cultural contexts. (CFR)

Contends that differences in child development and cultural backgrounds affect the way children represent their world through art. Describes an exhibit of children's art from Thailand and Australia. Discusses differences in content, media, and style and concludes that both cultures could benefit from adopting aspects of the other. (CFR)

This study compared learning style preferences among gifted African-American (n=54), Mexican-American (n=61), and American-born Chinese (n=40) middle grade students attending Chicago, Illinois, public schools. Significant ethnic, gender, and grade differences were found. All three groups preferred studying in the afternoon and bright light and did…

Presents a 21-item questionnaire that teachers can use to discover their personal beliefs and biases about how individuals in different cultural, gender, racial, and religious groups learn best. Answers for each question are discussed, and brief descriptions of two research projects testing the impact of teaching to various learning styles are…

Asserts that social studies teacher educators must help their students question the nature of knowledge in the social studies curriculum. Discusses epistemological implications of the social studies curriculum. (CFR)

Four articles discuss library services to diverse user groups. Highlights include the Seattle Public Library's Human Diversity Training Program for library staff; cultural diversity at the University of Northern Colorado, including library collection development; information needs of physicists in special libraries; and library services to…

Describes the activities of One with One, a community-based organization (CBO) that was started to reduce prejudice through individual, bicultural partnerships between Americans and newcomers. Libraries' roles in aiding this effort are discussed, including summer youth programs, vocational training programs, and building ESL…

Compares visual processing of televised information by 85 Japanese and 111 U.S. kindergarten and grade 4 students. As predicted, Japanese children use a more visually oriented television processing strategy in understanding program content. U.S. children score higher on a comprehension test, perhaps because of cultural differences in testing…

Discusses the increasing educational opportunities for culturally and linguistically different preschool children and suggests that there is a growing need to ensure accurate identification of minority-language preschoolers with special needs. Offers strategies to improve the value of diagnostic information and presents issues to consider at each…

The sociocultural context of the lives of five Hispanic American and five Anglo learning-disabled adolescents was studied over a school year to determine everyday stressors and coping strategies. In addition to the typical concerns of adolescents, cultural conflicts and learning handicapped status are major sources of stress. (SLD)

Studies relationships between reported parental behavior and depressive tendencies, self-esteem, and ego development for 53 young women attending college in New Delhi (India) and 50 in New Haven (Connecticut). Results are discussed in terms of differing patterns of transmitting expectations to daughters in the two cultures. (SLD)