Low-income African American and Latina adolescent females need extensive support for developing and implementing career plans. This digest discusses ways schools and other institutions can provide an education that furthers career development. Interventions that have been shown to be effective with disadvantaged African American and Latina female…

This digest suggests ways that elementary and secondary magnet schools in urban settings are perceived to provide a superior education, offers an evaluation of their effectiveness, and looks at issues for policymakers that arise from the magnet's success. Magnet schools appeal to families and students for the following reasons: (1) program…

This Digest discusses common stumbling blocks that prevent migrant students from attending and completing college and examines ways that colleges and universities can help migrant students succeed. The basic steps of completing high school with adequate college preparation, applying to college and being accepted, obtaining financial aid, and…

This Digest discusses the ongoing effort to develop new methods for identifying talent and giftedness among bilingual and limited-English-proficient Hispanic students. To provide better profiles for the identification of all gifted children, research suggests use of both qualitative and quantitative instruments. Several instruments are recommended…

Although a growing body of research points to the potential benefits of bilingual education, there are a number of commonly held beliefs that run counter to research findings. Based on current research, this digest clarifies some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding language use and bilingual education in the United States. The fallacies…

This digest discusses the current educational status of Latino students, using data from "Latinos in Education," a report by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Latino preschoolers are less likely to be enrolled in early childhood education programs than other preschoolers. Latino preschooler…

Dealing with issues relating to creating and maintaining a diverse faculty at the community college level, this collection of articles focuses on African-American and Hispanic faculty and presents both theoretical and practical considerations for administrators and scholars. The following articles are included: (1) "The Status of Faculty in…

This digest addresses factors that may influence college completion and academic success for Hispanic students, particularly Mexican American students, enrolled in community college and four-year institutions. Recent research suggests that institutional practices in high schools have much to do with the low postsecondary participation rates of…

Employment statistics of Mexican-American, Cuban-American, and Puerto Rican men and women are compared with each other and with blacks and whites. Facts and figures are provided for geographic distribution, labor force participation (employed or seeking a job), type of occupation (blue-collar or white-collar), and income. Barriers to employment…

Looking to the year 2000 and beyond, this digest explores the lack of individuals entering the fields of science, especially underrepresented minority students such as Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians. Sections include: (1) "Changing Demographics"; (2) "Status of Minorities in Science"; (3) "Barriers to…

Family involvement in schools will work only when perceived as an enlarged concept focusing on all children, including those from at-risk families. Each publication reviewed here is specifically concerned with family involvement strategies concerned with all children or targeted at primarily high risk students. Susan McAllister Swap looks at three…

This research summary identifies major factors affecting the validity of language assessments in bilingual students. The four factors include: (1) determining which language is dominant and in which language the child should be tested; (2) recognizing that bilingual children may use language in a way that is qualitatively different from that of…

Of the 22 million children currently enrolled in U.S. schools, more than 2 million have limited English proficiency. Preschoolers and elementary-age children make up the greatest proportion of the immigrant student population, and many teachers need support in educating these young, linguistically diverse students. This digest reviews proven…

This digest explores the status of Hispanic community college students and the factors that affect their enrollment and persistence in college. America's 1,076 community colleges educate over half of all minority students in higher education. Hispanics are underrepresented in four-year institutions, and over 55% of all Hispanic students enrolled…

This digest examines the extent and nature of Hispanic college enrollment in comparison to that of other racial and ethnic groups. Patterns of college entry and participation are analyzed by nativity, ethnicity, and age. College completion data show that while roughly 10 percent of Hispanic high school completers finish their schooling with an…