An ethnographic study of 12 low-income Puerto Rican parents of children with learning disabilities or mild mental retardation found that different cultural meanings of disability and normalcy led parents to reject the notion of disability and focus on the impact of family identity, language confusion, and detrimental educational practices on…

Thirty-six educationally disadvantaged gifted fifth grade students completed a program to reinforce their academic skills in either language arts or mathematics. Compared to controls, subjects showed gains in achievement and aptitude test scores in language arts as well as mathematics and then became eligible for challenging gifted/talented…

The author of EC 604 296 explains the evolution of a pilot project to improve the basic skills and thinking ability of gifted minority children to improve their performance on standardized tests. The paper reviews the effects of the project and notes changes recommended in repeating the program. (JDD)

Considers four language arts--speaking, listening, reading, and writing--as activities that enhance the development of mathematical concepts. Suggests ways language arts can be used in learning difficult concepts as missing addends, algorithms, number facts, and problem solving. (39 references) (MDH)

Results of a comparison of Papua New Guinea bilingual and monolingual students' (n=232) mathematics achievement indicated that bilingual students competent in both languages scored significantly higher on two different types of mathematical tests than both low-competent bilingual students and monolingual students. (32 references)

Shared cultural backgrounds and norms about how to use language can influence classroom interactions for minorities, including African Americans. Research finds serious problems when teachers' interactional styles differ from that of students' home communities. The differences can prevent full student participation and limit academic progress.…

Maintains that greater cooperation among world religions can lead to interfaith dialogue and joint action to solve world environmental problems. Proposes models to follow in promoting interfaith dialogue and action. Recommends injecting a cooperative spirit into theological and lay education and the inclusion of the legal study of religion in…

Interviews 40 British parents and their children's nursery school teachers, concerning parental involvement in children's preschool reading and writing. Reveals parents frequently assist and direct their children in language arts activities but do not feel confident and teachers expressed doubts about parental interest. Shows need for greater…

Describes two projects that incorporated library media skills into the English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) curriculum, one that created a video documentary using "The Video Encyclopedia of the Twentieth Century," and one that created booklets of folktales using AppleWorks software. Cross-cultural sharing is discussed and additional…

Results of student surveys at an Indian university, conducted in 1964 and 1989, are compared. Survey questions addressed parental educational background and occupation, education among women in the family, language of schooling (Hindi or English), ease with which educational expenses are met, student aspirations, political attitudes, housing, and…

Illustrates how the Reggio Emilia (Italy) Approach to learning uses classroom projects to provide valuable learning experiences to young children. Suggests how certain aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach of classroom project work may be applied to teaching and learning strategies in the United States. (BB)

Considers the use of pre- and posttest results as formative evaluation tools and describes a small group evaluation of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) courseware dealing with French for banking. Test design is discussed, including standards, validity, and reliability; and results from user questionnaires are examined. (Contains 14…

In spite of increasing ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity, educational reform efforts continue to target mainstream English-speaking U.S. public. The educational plans of the America 2000 initiative are no exception. This theme issue provides examples of classroom-based research in which educators try to improve literacy education for…

Literature-based children's literacy programs usually lack cultural foundation on the part of teachers providing the instruction. A framework for a cultural base for educators addresses this cultural gap. A series of professional development activities is presented that reflects the theoretical framework and increases cultural sensitivity. (SLD)

Use of the Cognitive Skills Inventory (CSI) in cross-cultural studies was investigated by comparing responses of 348 English-speaking, 142 bilingual Puerto Rican, and 109 monolingual Spanish college students. Analyses illustrate a stable and reliable factor structure across cultures for the CSI and its Spanish translation. (SLD)