Henry Cisneros, speaking on the theme, "the colorful past and promising future of Hispanic heroes in Texas," in Amarillo, Texas, on February 7, 1989, was successful in eliciting a positive response from his Anglo/Hispanic audience. An analysis of Cisneros' use of narrative demonstrates its effectiveness in leading to a feeling of…

This paper provides preliminary findings on the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) Test given to all Texas public college and university freshman, particularly regarding minority student performance. Of all students, 81% passed all three sections of the test, mathematics, reading, and essay. The passing group represented 87% of Anglos, 59% of…

Variables that predict success on the Examination for Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET) were studied, extending a pilot study that focused on one component of the ExCET, Secondary Professional Development (G. Poelzer, L. Zeng, and M. Simonsson, 2000). A representative sample of 87 preservice secondary education teachers was drawn from…

Mexican American organizations have influenced educational policy. They campaigned to eliminate the segregation of Mexican American children in the Texas public schools. Community organizations used several tactics and strategies to desegregate the schools. (Author/AM)

Using the pass rates of Black and Hispanic students on the Texas school exit assessment as a proxy for academic achievement, this study identifies educational and political resources that influence student success. Political resources are much more influential for the success of black students. Factors contributing to minority student success are…

Explores the methods employed in southern Texas primary and secondary schools to discourage Spanish use, and examines the justifications given for this practice. The data, gathered by interviewing Pan American University students, indicates that Spanish use by students is a social problem largely because of its classification as such by school…

Examines the effects of site-based management on elementary school teachers' perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU), or lack of clarity concerning significant knowledge desired or needed to perform effectively. There were significant PEU differences between the two schools studied. Results suggest that site-based management is a feasible…

A survey of 277 county jail inmates found that 27 percent of dropouts and 14 percent of high school graduates participated in counseling, stress management, and/or educational programs. Youthful and Hispanic offenders were overrepresented in the nonparticipating dropout population. (SK)

The Texas Advisory Committee on Women and Minority Faculty and Professional Staff sought to identify strategies that would increase the number of women and minority faculty and professional staff at institutions of higher education in Texas. The work of the Committee was divided into four subcommittees: (1) Pipeline/Pool; (2) Recruitment; (3)…

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic physical illness. The U.S.-Mexico border region has significantly higher rates of infectious and communicable diseases than other areas of the nation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a comprehensive culturally relevant health risk prevention program on Hispanic youth and their…

The Houston Community College (HCC) 2010-2011 Fact Book provides statistical information about the college district. It is important for the reader to be aware that data presented in this publication may differ slightly from statistics found in other district reports. Such variances may result from differences methodology including the source of…

The first U.S. charter school opened in 1992, and the scale of the charter movement has since grown to 4,000 schools and more than a million students in 40 states plus the District of Columbia. With this growth has also come a contentious debate about the effects of the schools on their own students and on students in nearby traditional public…

This packet of six lesson plans highlights Mexican-American life on a Texas cotton farm in the early 20th century. Each lesson provides a lesson overview; states educational objectives; cites materials needed; details the procedure for classroom implementation; offers a closure activity; and suggests an extension activity. The packet is divided…

Studied the relationship between personal, professional, and situational factors in the career mobility of 94 Hispanic upper-level school administrators in Texas, examined the administrators' attitudes, and identified a framework to explain career mobility. Findings confirm the underrepresentation of Hispanics in administrative posts and give…

Describes the family-based administrative structure of the Alicia Chacon International School, a magnet elementary school in El Paso, Texas. Students are motivated to learn within the school's family environment through involvement in cultural activities, multilingual instruction, and family participation. (PKP)