In statehouses, school boards, and communities across the US, battles are raging over the direction of education policy--from the standards that are shaping what students learn to how test results are being used to judge a teacher's performance. These battles are being waged against a backdrop of shifting demographics, rapidly developing…

This past June, a 5-4 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court declared integration plans in Louisville and Seattle unconstitutional because of their focus on race as one factor in assigning students to schools. The Court's ruling in the "Parents Involved in Community Schools" v. "Seattle School District No. 1" and…

Good school helps children recognize their worth as individual human beings. Schools' most important responsibility is to affirm children. African-American and other parents are advised to experience school before choosing it. Is diversity celebrated? Are friendliness and racial diversity present among professional staff? Do African-American and…

Discusses the responsibility of parents and schools to train American children to respect diversity and reject racial and ethnic stereotypes. Examines curricula that emphasize race relations and multicultural values and educational strategies that promote racial harmony. Suggests that a strong sense of self may best help children cope with racism.…

This paper discusses the problems faced by Minnesota's Supporting Diversity in Schools organization in communicating their goal of making schools responsive to students of differing ethnic backgrounds. It was found that using terms such as "multicultural curriculum" and "isolation of schools and communities of color from one…

This newsletter describes the 6-year Supporting Diversity in Schools (SDS) project that seeks to create school environments free of racial prejudice and privilege. It briefly describes the program's working themes: (1) giving a voice to people who have traditionally been silent in the shaping of classroom practices; (2) developing pride in…

Demographic changes are causing leaders in education, business and civic affairs to address new questions about racial and ethnic diversity. What opportunities does diversity provide? What difficulties does it create? What changes are needed in the ways that people look at problems, define solutions and do the everyday business of their lives? The…

Research undertaken during the 1970s and early 1980s on the education of poor and minority children and young adults in higher education is evaluated in this book. First, an overview is provided of recent research on the development of education for the Mexican-American and Black communities and a framework is established for the education of…