Presents strategies to create a classroom environment in which preservice teachers can break the taboo of silence and begin discussion of cultural diversity issues, drawing on faculty experience. A community atmosphere and mutual respect are key elements in encouraging open discussion. (SLD)

Preservice teachers' beliefs and knowledge about educational equity and their experiences with equal education were studied with 992 education majors at four colleges. Results show that preservice teachers are no more accepting of diversity than is the general population. (SLD)

The "National Standards for History in Schools" is nearly racist in its categories in that it concentrates on group identity and the individual nearly becomes a prisoner of ethnic identity. It suffers from the illusion that all historical phenomena deserve equal treatment. (SLD)

Describes socioeconomic conditions in Ecuador challenging optimal child development. Describes operation of a preschool in a poor neighborhood and discusses visits to an orphanage and to a special education facility during collaboration with the parochial leadership, medical personnel, and educators in the town of Quito. Reflects on successful…

Analyzes a bi-national survey about teachers' beliefs surrounding puberty; adolescent rebellious attitudes, and academics. Finds significant difference between Japanese and U.S. teachers. Explains teachers' impact on students shows cultural differences and cross-national trends. Discusses survey results in light of qualitative studies of Japanese…

This article describes special education and early inclusion efforts in China. National projects and local examples of children with disabilities, including children with autism, being included in public schools and educated in general education classrooms are described. Implications for inclusive practice, focusing on the importance of parent…

Discusses some of the issues of choice and diversity in multicultural writing and reading assignments for secondary students. Draws on two research studies, one on high school students and one on middle school students. Notes that both studies found a mixture of desire for and discomfort with plurality in the classroom. (TB)

Describes experiential exercises used by the author to facilitate both self-awareness and an appreciation of the impact of race and culture in the United States in a group of students consisting mainly of undergraduate social work majors. These exercises generate deep reflection and personal insights on race and ethnicity. (SLD)

Compares Native American and Caucasian students' perceptions of teacher good will and delivery communication competence as well as attitude toward school. Finds that Native American students perceived teachers to have less good will and delivery competence and had more negative attitudes toward school compared to Caucasian students. (SR)

Describes findings from several Florida research initiatives on diversity and school restructuring: (1) special education placement rates, suspensions/expulsions, dropouts, and academic achievement by ethnic group; (2) African American male students' concerns; (3) outcomes of children with disabilities when schools engage in school reform; and (4)…

Discusses instructional design procedures for teachers to increase instructional effectiveness in classrooms with a culturally diverse student body. Highlights include analyzing learner characteristics using standardized tests and informal assessment techniques; specifying instructional strategies that are particularly useful in multicultural…

Beatrice Medicine, Professor Emerita from California State University, suggests that a higher education program for Native Americans should integrate the knowledge and wisdom of elders as well as address the different cultural values and spirituality of Native American students. The challenge is to prepare Native students to live and work in the…

Discusses facilitating opportunities for a grounded knowledge base, building culturally competent relationships, facilitating discussion of stereotyping, and forming collaborative alliances with culturally and ethnically diverse communities. Asserts that child welfare workers need to lay a foundation of excellence in these areas and presents child…

Reviews six films about issues related to multicultural and social justice education in the United States: "It's Elementary: Talking about Gay Issues in School"; "Starting Small: Teaching Children Tolerance"; "In Whole Honor?"; "Children Talk about AIDS"; "Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary";…

While rediscovering her Chippewa spirituality, the author learned that life's tests are gifts. The ways she learned in the White world had prevented her from serving her people. She had to undergo pain to learn about compassion before she could be of service. Native people need to positively reinforce children and allow them to talk about their…