It is not uncommon for beginning teachers in Queensland (Australia) to be assigned their first teaching placement in a rural area. Many of these teachers stay there for the minimum time that they must, then seek to relocate to a coastal city. The literature and interviews with beginning rural teachers suggest that those who view the experience…

Maintains that interreligious learning takes place most beneficially among people who are reasonably secure in their own relationship with God and also are comfortable with the mystery of that relationship. Argues that people with little tolerance for mystery and ambiguity will become uncomfortable with other religious experiences. (MJP)

Explicates some of the forces and realities shaping the formation of religious identity in the modern world. Identity can no longer be be constructed in isolation from others and the community at large. People also are aware that identity is constructed socially. Discusses the impact of this on Christian-Jewish relations. (MJP)

Outlines a series of components deemed essential for interfaith dialog and education: (1) productive interfaith education cannot occur in isolation; (2) interfaith education strengthens the separate faiths; and (3) these efforts should be initiated at an earlier age. Briefly addresses problems concerning curricula in religious institutions. (MJP)

Reflects on the personal growth experienced at the Catholic-Jewish Colloquium by asking a series of questions. The questions reflect on such issues as pre-meeting expectations, adult learning experiences, the process of interfaith sharing, and the moving beyond communal faith boundaries. (MJP)

Discusses how the early childhood program environment can be more sensitive to biracial children of black and white heritage. Considers the history of blacks in the United States; ethnic identity development in biracial children; and planning the early childhood environment, including structuring the curriculum, securing information about the…

A survey of 185 Navajo students in grades 7 and 11 examined the relationship between their identification with attributes of traditional Navajo culture and their achievement level on standardized tests. Results suggest that student identification with Navajo language, culture, and tradition helps develop student self-esteem and cultural identity…

Examined relationships among kinship support, family management, and adolescence in 135 African American adolescents, ages 14 to 19. Found that kin social support was positively related to self-reliance and grades, family organization, and parental involvement in schooling, and negatively associated with problem behavior. Poor kin relations were…

If you don't get racism from your parents, it's easy to catch it at school. This Hispanic author recounts his experience of learning to hate his own people. He provides insight into peeling away layers of personal devaluation and racism and discusses the question of bilingual education. (EMK)

Changing global and local conditions have given rise to complex issues of identity. Within such conditions, the challenge for educators is to help students to develop a language with which to describe the new and dynamic cultural identities and relationships constitutive of what Hall (1996a, p.223) describes as "New Times". Students need…

An evaluation was done of the first year of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), which is designed not only to teach students about research and/or certain academic topics, but also to facilitate the identification of minority students with the university. This second aim is based on…

As girls face the serious emotional, physical, and developmental challenges during youth and adolescence, external support from a nonparental female role model is an essential, and too frequently ignored, requirement for healthy development. This book presents a process for mentoring young women and girls by providing guidance in five areas:…

Students' experiences are important in shaping their subsequent practice of the teacher role, and teacher educators should look at the connections between life histories, beliefs about teaching, and classroom practice. Five undergraduate seniors and one graduate student (of various ethnic and racial groups) in preservice elementary education…

Applying reader response theory, a study explored the responses of 19 pregnant adolescents and teenage mothers to two dissimilar young adult novels, one about teenage pregnancy and one about adolescent alcoholism. Quantitative analysis, using a modified version of the Purves-Rippere (1968) system, and qualitative analysis of written answers to…

A collection of works on the role of cultural identity in second language learning and teaching includes: "Linguas estrangeiras e ideologia" (Roberto Ballalai); "Cultural Identity and Bilinguality" (Josiane F. Hamers, Michel Blanc); "Foreign Language Teaching and Cultural Identity" (Lakshmie K. Cumaranatunge);…