Examines multiculturalism and interculturalism, the premises underlying them, and their objective and historical bases in order to gain insight with respect to the contemporary meaning of the issues and visions they create and the shape of possible solutions related to curricular reform in American higher education. Structural and cultural…

A white elementary teacher at a suburban school with multicultural programs discovered that his class of African American and Hispanic sixth graders thought they (and other dark people) were inherently bad and destined for poverty. Aided by a black guidance counselor, the teacher helped these kids shed their "badness" and understand…

Investigated the relationship between free choice writing in primary classrooms and gender construction. Suggests that girls are rewarded for producing gendered content, form, and structure in their writing, and are not offered opportunities to learn to write in different forms for different audiences. Thus, free choice does not appear to lead to…

Suggestions for teaching Native American studies in the outdoors or the classroom include using accurate instructional materials, integrating Native American studies across the curriculum, connecting traditional values and beliefs to contemporary life, respecting Native culture, challenging stereotypes, being aware of students' cultural…

Summarizes year one of a two-year study of peer harassment in eight New York State schools. Most adolescents find school a harassing experience. Three types of students report being harassed: girls viewed as unattractive or unstylish dressers, physically well-developed girls, and non-macho boys. Educators must intervene to create more caring…

Reports two studies comparing responses of Filipino and Nepalese students to learning process questionnaires to those for Australian and Hong Kong students. Presents evidence for a similar structure of learning processes in each culture. Concludes that little evidence supports the contention that Asian learners are more prone to rote learning than…

Presents findings that young secondary students have stereotyped ideas about the appropriateness of certain careers for men and women. Indicates that careers such as pilot, engine mechanic, electrician, and computer technician are viewed by all students as more suitable for males. Considers the consequences of these results relative to the…

Describes a demonstration that helps students realize that advertisements can communicate messages about gender roles. Suggests using the demonstration in a variety of courses to introduce the topic of gender roles and stereotyping in a nonthreatening manner and to facilitate discussion on follow-up topics. Recommends exploration of students'…

Argues that customary presentations of data on Indian alcohol abuse and "related problems" distort the problem, undermine self-esteem of Indian communities, and lower the chances of success for community-based prevention and treatment programs. Suggests community-specific research on drinking patterns and problems and avoidance of…

Argues that years of domination by an administrative command system has nearly destroyed former Soviet entrepreneurship, business acumen, and initiative. Proposes a program of entrepreneurial training that includes (1) evaluation of the student's personality; (2) destruction of the socioeconomic stereotypes of the old system; (3) enhancement of…

Presents an interview with Walter Dean Myers, the 1994 recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for his novels depicting African American teenagers in urban America. Highlights include black stereotypes; writing from a black point of view; writing about a culture that's not your own; and readers identifying with characters. (LRW)

Reviews the rapid feminization of the teaching profession in the latter part of the 19th century in North America and Europe. Identifies by factors such as wage differences between teaching and industrial work and the existence of marriage bans for women teachers. (CFR)

"The Party" is a role-playing activity used in an ethnic studies course at California State University at Fullerton to help students experience cultural stereotyping firsthand. Students responded with enthusiasm to the experience and found it effective in sensitizing them to diversity issues. Suggestions are offered for teachers using…

Describes 2 qualitative action research studies that examined 16 kindergartners' attitudes and beliefs concerning gender-appropriate roles and career aspirations. Results indicated that, even as kindergartners, girls selected traditional female careers. Suggests activities and ideas for classroom teachers who want to create gender-equitable…

Two experiments involving 112 college students, half male and half female, examined the spatial nature of mental-image rotation (MIR) tasks and the use of MIR in stereotypically male or female tasks. Results add to the evidence that instructional and stimulus effects may exacerbate or eliminate sex differences in spatial cognition. (SLD)