American education has been soundly criticized in recent years for allegedly teaching only a western, Anglo culture and values system, to the exclusion of minority and ethnic groups. Explorations of the role of the mass media in the processes of assimilation and pluralism, especially in shaping the relationship of ethnic groups to American society, have generally been undertaken from the assimilation perspective. However, there are currently no studies examining the effects of ethnic media on both dominant and minority groups. A study explored the effects of exposure to minority cultures by examining the relationship between exposure to alternative media and support for multicultural education. Also studied was the relationship between contact with minority groups and support for multicultural education. The sample included members of four distinct strata of the student population at the University of Texas at Austin in March 1991: Anglos, Blacks, Hispanics and international students. Information was collected via phone interviews. Results demonstrated a partially positive correlation between exposure to alternative media and support for multicultural education. The relationship between contact with minority groups and support for multicultural education was seen for Anglos, but was not seen for minorities. Political ideology was determined to have the strongest correlation with support for multicultural education. (Sixteen tables containing the collected data are attached.) (HB)