Minorities constitute an increasing proportion of the population, particularly among children and younger working-age adults. In rural areas, the minority population is small overall but highly concentrated in certain areas; includes a high proportion of children; and is characterized by low education and employment levels. Education and…

A study examined early indicators of school adjustment and conduct problems, comparing the risk and resiliency characteristics of Latino elementary students who were typical (n=66), at-risk (n=77), had learning disabilities (n=18), and speech impairments (n=8). At-risk students showed lower grades, fewer study and social skills, and more problem…

Discusses a first-year writing class composed of both Hispanic-American and Anglo students, arguing that rather than regarding online conflicts between students as mere "flaming," such conflicts can be seen as a way of helping students develop as literate citizens more aware of difference. (SR)

A study of 98 African-American and Hispanic parents of children with hearing loss found low levels of stress. The communicative ability through signing of the child was significantly related to stress, with Hispanics differing significantly from African Americans in making greater use of coping strategies. (Author/CR)

Investigated differences in frequency of nomination to gifted/talented programs between Hispanic and Anglo students, examining teachers' perceptions of nominated and non-nominated students on the Scales of Rating Characteristics of Superior Students. Teacher nominations strongly related to ethnicity, with Hispanic students much less likely to be…

In Tucson (Arizona) and El Paso (Texas), Chicano mural painters and art educators have begun community programs to engage alienated Chicano and Yaqui youth in painting murals that defuse gang conflicts, celebrate Mexican culture and history, and provide training in marketable skills. (SV)

Investigated the impact of efforts to prepare average high school students for college admission, examining ethnic differences in academic retracking. A longitudinal evaluation of a school reform effort at four California high schools indicates that specific efforts to retrack general/vocational students into college-preparatory tracks offer…

Describes a federally funded Javits project that involved two rural elementary schools with a primarily Hispanic population. The project was designed to develop an alternative community-based assessment procedure for identifying gifted minority students. Identified students were taught using a developed science curriculum that focused on problem…

Reviewed graduate school applications via the World Wide Web to the University of North Carolina Graduate School since 1997. Highest percentage of online applicants were Hispanics and Asian Americans; African Americans and Native Americans showed the lowest percentage of online applications. Online applicants tended to have higher graduate record…

This study used ethnographic techniques to observe and analyze the communication patterns of two Latina college students in order to better understand the poor performance of many Latino students in college-level composition classes. Both students experienced frustration, anger, suspicion, and mistrust. They felt that school was trying to change…

As an alternative form of mathematics assessment for use with limited-English-proficient students, 14 mathematics tasks using manipulatives were administered to 45 Hispanic students in grades 1-3 and readministered 2-3 weeks later. Test reliability and validity, task difficulty, and the relationship among test subscales across grades were…

A study evaluated the effects of supplemental reading instruction for 256 students in kindergarten through Grade 3 (158 Hispanic). Children who received the supplemental reading instruction performed significantly better on measures of word attack, word identification, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension after 15 to 16…

Instead of working solely to control young people and to put offenders behind bars, society should be trying to build a responsible community in which young people, aware of their value, act responsibly because they have seen responsible behavior in action. The importance of ritual and initiation for youth is discussed. (SLD)

Examines the extent to which Latino students' background characteristics and college experiences in the first and second years contribute to their sense of belonging in the third year. Identifies several experiences as having a positive effect on first year students and notes the negative effect of a hostile racial climate. (MJP)

Discusses how a teacher of sixth- and seventh-grade primarily Mexican immigrants: (1) models being a second-language learner by working at Spanish; (2) provides an enjoyable school experience; (3) learns about students' culture and gives it respect; (4) seeks a detailed picture of where each English learner is academically; and (5) cultivates a…