The cultural experiences of minority learners are often omitted from the formal curriculum leading to exclusion and a sense of cultural loss. In this study, the researcher's lived experience serves as the basis to develop a novel research strategy: transformative autoethnography. The researcher uses the method of autoethnography to more…

Ethnicity in the American context involves two components: the cultural component and the "outsider" component. The first consists of those customs, folkways, rituals, and values identified with a particular ethnic group and its unique patterns of living. The second is the feeling of being outside the mainstream politically, economically,…

Miccosukees, a small American Indian tribe of about 475 members who are cousins of the Seminoles, reside in the Florida Everglades and wish to retain their cultural heritage while expending economic enterprises. They hold that they find no conflict in these attitudes and would like to have a choice of how to live and to benefit from economic…

The Old Order Amish society is unique among diverse Mennonite sects. Their traditions and simplicity of lifestyle are evident in their manner of dress, non-mechanized farming practices, and rejection of electricity or running water in their homes. In an Old Order Amish education, children are taught the "four R's:" reading, writing,…

Families who adopt children internationally are faced with not only the acknowledgement of the adoption but also the recognition of the child's birth culture. Thirty-four families were surveyed to assess issues regarding the relevance, frequency, and means of acknowledgement of the adoption and of the birth culture. Findings suggest ways adoption…

The author relates the difficulties and eventual failure of a group of Vietnamese refugees to adapt to American culture. (JD)

Living in Europe offers alternatives for gaining perspective on American history: 1) history is viewed from afar; 2) structures or situations similar to those which existed in American long ago are witnessed or experienced; 3) European history spans a longer time period than American is realized. New perspectives are discussed. (Author/RM)

There are 4,500 "Cajuns" occupying a rural area in southern Alabama which was once practically isolated from the surrounding society. Local residents regard these "Cajuns" as neither White nor Black. It is generally recognized that they are a recent mixture of several distinct peoples. There is no evidence that these people…

Examines a pair of critical challenges to the cultural integrity of Alaskan Natives around 1960 as pivotal episodes in the process of native resistance to U. S. dominance. Historically evaluates the fragility of native culture in terms of the political, scientific, and economic interests expressed in the mainstream Alaskan press, particularly the…

Discusses cultural introversion, language difficulties, and other problems of the growing Korean population of Los Angeles. Details the curriculum of a pilot education program designed to help Korean adults bridge the cultural gap. (Journal availability: National Dissemination and Assessment Center, California State University, 5151 State…

Recounts the author's experience of visiting her native Korea for the first time, where, as an adopted child brought up in Belgium, she learns what it can feel like to be caught between two worlds. Emphasizes the right of every child to know her or his origin and to be rightful owner of a birth certificate. (AA)

The debate over the past decade about the pedagogical effectiveness of bilingual education and the research evidence are reviewed. The case for bilingual education rests on the assumption that because children cannot learn in a language they do not understand, they will fall behind academically in programs taught only in that language. Against…

This paper summarizes the issues underlying the Amish conflicts with public school consolidation and the enforcement of extended compulsory school-age limits. It calls attention to a long-standing strategy for community control of schools contributing to the maintenance of a culturally divergent minority group tradition. None of the traditional…

This paper discusses the inclusion of Australian rather than English cultural components into an Australian-focused curriculum. Prior to World War II, English culture was accentuated in Australian education because of the country's English heritage. The conclusion that Australia has developed its own unique culture separate from that of Great…

Studies the social interactions of two bilingual ethnic minority children during informal work and play settings in a kindergarten program. Finds that their literacy learning is hampered by isolation, the staff's apparent lack of interest in the children's home language and culture, and the staff's unawareness of cultural biases in the testing and…