Discusses the essential components and objectives of multicultural education and considers how to foster and integrate these into social studies teacher education programs. Describes several strategies designed to move students from norms of passivity to interactive pedagogy. These included collecting oral histories and critiquing textbooks. (MJP)

Recommends confronting the problem of validity in intercultural research by adopting research approaches that focus on the problem (for example, ethnopsychoanalysis, intercultural psychology). Briefly reviews the current debate on intercultural-comparative research. Concludes with examples and a discussion of the recent developments in comparative…

Presents the findings of an informal poll of teachers over 25 years about their experiences in education school courses and their thoughts on the proper requirements for the education degree in foreign languages. (Three references) (CK)

Describes a graduate preservice education course on diversity that used online e-mail discussions to facilitate learning. The activity successfully involved all students in the online discussions, so less-verbal students were able to voice their opinions. It cut tensions when discussing controversial issues and changed student/teacher roles. (SM)

A 4-year case study examined how two second-career teachers' prior experiences, beliefs about knowledge, and schooling contexts influenced their ability to implement culturally relevant, constructivist classroom curricula. Interviews and observations highlighted important relationships between teachers' personal belief systems for teaching and…

Reviews books and videos for multicultural education and cultural awareness in elementary and secondary classrooms. The 28 works reviewed focus on gender and minority experiences, U.S. history, multicultural mathematics, folklore, world literature, and the lives of distinguished Americans from minority groups. (SLD)

Describes a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership between a teacher education program and a large African American Baptist church, focusing on the nature of the partnership, commitments to building the relationship, and challenges and promises in nurturing trust and attempting reciprocity. The paper describes an "equal status" internship…

This study investigated how undergraduate students make meaning from instances of cultural conflict within juvenile novels. Student logs, discussion groups, postwriting, and classroom observations indicated that the case method had strengths and weaknesses, but overall, it encouraged reflection on critical issues. (SM)

Reviews the literature on the characteristics of the good language learner and language teacher, showing those traits contributing to effective language learning as well as literature outlining practices and activities contributing to the development of a good language teacher. Includes an activity performance checklist. (14 references) (Author/CK)

This article discuses the barriers to the study of culturally diverse families with children with disabilities, cross-cultural studies, and early intervention. Key principles underlying culturally appropriate service provision are applied to three areas: personnel preparation, the structure of services, and the evaluation and modification of…

This article discusses how students, teachers, families, communities, and government can work together using the Comprehensive Support Model (CSM) as an intervention for culturally diverse learners with exceptionalities. Embedded in the discussion are cases that illustrate functions of CSM. The incorporation of multicultural education within the…

Victims of child abuse are at risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, not only directly through sexual abuse, but also because they engage in more high-risk behaviors. Because American Indian youth experience higher rates of sexual abuse and have less access to treatment and counseling, they are especially at risk.…

Case studies of six high schools identified eight features that promote the success of language-minority (LM) students: (1) respect for students' languages and cultures; (2) teachers' high expectations of students; (3) LM as a leadership priority; (4) staff development; (5) LM-specific courses; (6) counseling; (7) parent involvement; and (8)…

Advocates a recognition of students' individual cultures. Describes the efforts of Oglala Lakota College (South Dakota), Daytona Beach Community College (Florida), Northwestern Connecticut Community College, and South Central Community College (Connecticut) to meet the needs of Native Americans, illiterate adults, deaf students, and White students…

Provides insight into conditions in a developing country community. Discusses the impact of the agricultural program Heifer Project International on a Thai village. Urges teachers to make students aware of the connections of mutual interest and common humanity among all world citizens. Photographs of village included. (KO)