Risk factors associated with teenage pregnancy were studied among 95 Hispanic, Native American, and White ninth-grade females at a rural New Mexico high school. All respondents, regardless of ethnicity, reported moderate levels of health-compromising behaviors such as alcohol use, poor communication with parents regarding sex, and a false sense of…

A study of 4,687 White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic students at four highly selective colleges found Blacks often entered with strong science interest but had the highest attrition from sciences; Asians had the lowest attrition rate, and Whites and Hispanics neared the average rate of 40%. Ability and achievement variables were also studied. (MSE)

Data from the Latino National Political Survey were used to examine respondents' use of primary and secondary ethnic identifications. "Hispanic" ethnicity was found to be neither simply instrumental nor cultural but rather a complex phenomenon, differing by many demographic characteristics and by use of panethnicity as a primary or…

To counter Hispanic migrant youth's educational discontinuities and high dropout rate, Congress established the national Migrant Education Program as part of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Hawkins-Stafford Amendment (1988) expanded students' eligibility. Describes exemplary programs for older students: PASS (Portable Assisted…

A study of 35 Latino college students in upstate New York found that various types of perceived support (from family, general peers, Latino peers, faculty, and institution) mediated the relationship between ethnic identification and adjustment to college. Important differences emerged between Latino peer support and general peer support for…

College student enrollment from the four largest minority groups (American Indians, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics) rose by 2.9% in 1995, accounting for one-quarter of all students. White student enrollments accounted for an overall enrollment decline of 1%, although the proportion of whites aged 18-24 in college reached an all-time high, 43%. Blacks…

Studied impact of family background, parental attitudes, peer support, and adolescents' attitudes and behavior on academic achievement of adolescents from immigrant families. Found that first- and second-generation students received higher mathematics and English grades than peers from native families; the strong educational emphasis by students,…

Survey of sixth and seventh graders in 47 schools revealed that adolescents who spoke Spanish with their parents were less likely to have had an alcoholic drink relative to adolescents who spoke English and Spanish with their parents. Differences also were found based on language use with friends, country of origin, and sex. (RJM)

A study of 303 predominately Hispanic and Native American ninth graders investigated the validity of the DISCOVER assessment. Results provided evidence for an alignment of the assessment with the theory of multiple intelligences. No overall gender or ethnic differences were found in the numbers of students identified as gifted. (Contains…

Examines cultural factors affecting black and Hispanic deaf students' achievement, discussing socioeconomic status and single parent families, parent educational levels, non-English speaking environments, inadvertent effects on the deaf child, family view of disability, and parent-school interactions. Notes strategies for developing parents as…

A social-context longitudinal model of the early schooling process was tested using three first-grade outcomes for 1,470 Black and 69 Hispanic children (1,359 remained in the school system at the end of grade 1). Many variables influence the early schooling process, including cognitive readiness at kindergarten entry. (SLD)

The paper describes implementation and evaluation of the Bilingual Special Education Teacher Training program developed at California State University, Fresno. The program includes a summer intensive training program for teacher trainees to gain skills in assessing and instructing Spanish-speaking learning-handicapped children and in working with…

Describes a five-step sequence for the study of multicultural literature. Presents a detailed example of how the sequence can be used to study literature dealing with Native American cultural groups. Concludes with descriptions of how the sequence can be used and adapted with literature dealing with Black and Hispanic cultural groups. (MG)

Reports two-year sociolinguistic study of English use by five immigrant children. Observational findings compare "substantial" and "minimal" English contacts by experienced children. Illustrates benefits and hindrances to English learning, and how contacts depend principally on children's English abilities. Discusses English…

A growing number of alumni associations have begun chartering subgroups to cater to special interests. Special alumni groups can develop around a variety of interests but a growing number of institutions are fostering groups tailored exclusively to minorities--particularly Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. (MLW)