Discusses recent research about contesting the deficit models of language and class. Criticizes the work of Barbara Tizard and Martin Hughes, claiming that, in fact, they create a new version of the deficiency model and fail to analyze the differentials in access to schooling. Notes that such a model ignores social circumstances. (KO)

Examined factors that influence children's competence in mathematics when they begin first grade. Results indicated that parent education, family economic resources, and parent expectations influenced children's competence. Race and family structure, when considered apart from other variables, were not significant influences. (PCB)

Combines meta-analysis and process analysis to clarify the nature and magnitude of gender differences in cognitive, psychosocial, and physical tasks and their implications for mathematics and science careers. Findings indicate that learning and working environments should be redesigned to promote gender equality. (FMW)

Argues that second language learning is a form of enculturation that involves learning the perspectives and identities that a culture allows and values. Proposes that a language teacher is actually changing the cultural identity of the student. (FMW)

Reviews the national impact of adolescent pregnancy with emphasis on the Black community. Criticizes the mass media for exploiting sexual behavior. Proposes a national agenda incorporating comprehensive sex education, family planning services, and educational, economic, and social opportunities. (FMW)

Examines factionalism within Minnesota Ojibwe Indian villages and its significance before and after the arrival of Europeans and Euramericans. Defines "progressive" and "traditional" Indians and examines sociopolitical differences between Ojibwe factions from 1850 to 1880. Examines roles of young warriors and older civil…

Claims that business ethics must recognize economic and organizational characteristics and the legal, political, and ethical environment. Argues that teaching business ethics varies according to local circumstances. Identifies social democracy and the Single European Market as determining the European environment. Suggests an approach to business…

Investigates whether responses to literature of South African adolescents from three subcultures varied with reference to values inherent in a text and whether these differences might be attributed to differences in the value systems of the respondent's subcultures. Confirms these expectations. (SR)

Examined the effect of socially ambiguous information on behavioral and trait perception. White children and black children were shown drawings of white characters and black characters whose behavior could be interpreted positively or negatively. Results provided evidence that race affects the manner in which behavior is interpreted in ambiguous…

Explores whether fathers' involvement is associated with youths' psychological adjustment and whether the relationship between fathers' involvement and youths' psychological adjustment is mediated by children's perception of fathers' acceptance-rejection. Results show only perceived parental acceptance is significantly related to black children's…

Examines possible cultural, ethnic, or racial differences regarding perfectionism. A sample of 417 African-American and White college students completed two different perfectionism scales with the same name but which measure different dimensions of perfectionism. Results indicate significant differences in four subscales. (Author/GCP)

Challenges common explanations of why teacher candidates ineffectively teach children of diverse backgrounds. Finds that teacher candidates differ on their positions concerning social difference; to negotiate social difference, the tensions they encounter must be understood. Suggests changing teacher socialization to include tension as integral to…

Surveyed practices of 3,595 kindergarten teachers related to transition into kindergarten and implementation barriers. Found that in-person contacts with children/families were among those used least often. Most frequent were practices taking place after start of school and/or involving low-intensity, generic contact. School location and…

Provides basic, descriptive information about informational text experiences offered to children in 20 first-grade classrooms selected from very low and very high socio-economic-status school districts. Finds a scarcity of informational texts in these classroom print environments (particularly the low socio-economic status schools)--there were…

Discusses key issues of late modern society that help make a case for critical awareness of discourse: the relationship between discourse, knowledge, and social change in the information or knowledge-based society; the "textually-mediated" nature of contemporary social life; the relationship between discourse and social difference; the…