This study deals with a special phase of the education systems of five small nations that have contributed much to the advancement and civilization of mankind. These countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. They are highly literate peoples accustomed to self-government and capable of carrying it on effectively, a…

Discusses the issue of the effectiveness of non-Indian preservice teachers in an Indian school. Recommends research to determine the changes in professional performance of reservation student teachers, and to study the frequency, duration, nature, and outcome of cultural immersion field experiences. (SB)

Teachers from two urban elementary schools completed surveys about their multicultural education practices. The surveys examined demographics, content integration, instructional and grouping practices, and parent-community involvement practices. Results indicated that teachers were integrating some aspects of multicultural curriculum, and they…

Describes the Reggio Emilia (Italy) model for preschool education. Addresses the perceived difficulties of transferring the program to U.S. schools, focusing on differences in patterns of thinking, educational attitudes, and cultural conventions between the two cultures. Provides perspectives for change and adaptation. (SD)

Examines the current status of cultural diversity in middle school education theory, suggests some developmental characteristics of young adolescents of color that are often overlooked, and proposes some ways that middle school education could be modified to be more responsive to the ethnic and cultural diversity of early adolescents. (SM)

Examines factors that contribute to the academic excellence of Jewish and Asian students. Finds that traditional socioeconomic measures explain some of the advantage of Jewish and Asian students over other ethnic groups but that parent and student attitudes toward education is also an important factor. (ACM)

To effectively interact with their students, leaders and teachers in sport and physical activity must be familiar with their students' cultural backgrounds. This collection of articles discusses how women of color deal with and have been affected by their racial and ethnic identities in relationship to physical activity and sport. (SM)

Describes the centrality of culturally relevant pedagogy to academic success for minority students who are poorly served in public schools, discussing linkages between school and culture, examining the theoretical grounding of culturally relevant teaching in the context of a study of successful teachers of black students. Provides examples of…

Reports on a study of Muslim children in physical education classes in a British secondary school. Finds areas of cultural conflict, such as physical education uniforms and regulations about showering after class. Calls for better preservice and inservice teacher education in a wider educational and societal context. (CFR)

Discusses the immigrant situation in The Netherlands, Dutch education policy with respect to ethnic minorities, intercultural and language education, and the implementation of the 1992 "Cedars in de tuin" policy report. It is concluded that government policy in regard to multicultural Dutch society is somewhere between assimilation and…

Describes developing and teaching a college cultural pluralism course at California State University in Los Angeles. Maintains that the course used a political economy perspective and cooperative learning techniques. Discusses course objectives, class activities, and course materials. (CFR)

Compares music education programs in England and the United States. Outlines differences in curriculum development, preservice and inservice teacher education, and the impact of the English National Curriculum. Discusses implication for U.S. music education. (CFR)

Describes observations of art education in a Japanese junior high school during a three-month period in 1990. Discusses the teacher's role, classroom environment, course objectives, and teacher-student interaction. Identifies cultural differences and how they affect instructional methods and student achievement. (CFR)

Describes the development of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) tests which predict student success in mathematics on the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) and readiness for college mathematics. Institutions wishing to expand ethnic diversity in teacher education must help minority students prepare for tests like the TASP. (SM)

Discusses the effect of inservice and preservice education emphasizing the educational needs of limited-English- proficient students, examining a study of the effects of English language proficiency on teachers' assessment of students' understanding. Results indicated that despite inservice education, teachers did not accommodate students' needs…