An element seen to be lacking in the development of bilingual programs in California is a sensitivity to the sociolinguistic and psychological influences in Chicano language usage. These include the mixing in of American slang. (MSE)

Realizing that multicultural education's true goal is academic achievement, a Seattle high school teacher began to add native Spanish speakers to the native English speakers in her advanced Spanish studies class and offered opportunities to hone literacy skills. Over the next 3 years, 19 of 26 native Spanish speakers from the class passed Spanish…

One Washington state school district uses mariachi music lessons to engage Hispanic students in school and deter them from dropping out. The district's dropout rate is very low, despite its high Hispanic population. Students in the top-performing mariachi groups say that participating has motivated them academically. Just as mariachi has…

Urges writing teachers to cultivate the students' own expression of diverse or alien ideas, not just accept these diversities. Stresses that educators cannot expect young students of Hispanic or other cultures to initiate an open, creative exploration of themselves without an atmosphere of complete acceptance. (MG)

An overview of contemporary Hispanic dialectology, focusing on phonological phenomena, syntax, classification schemes, and bilingual communities, demonstrates that dialectology has long ceased to be the collection of innumerable surface deviations. It is suggested that dialectology is a theoretical discipline searching for universal principles to…

Examines the ways that each of three cultures (Pueblo, Hispanic, and mainstream American) expresses values and beliefs in the celebrations that engage Pueblo children throughout the year. Discusses the secrecy of Pueblo celebrations and the need for educators to use discretion when determining the legitimacy of Pueblo students' absences and…

Analyzes the impact of employment context and family structure on Mexican American families' health insurance status. Found that, of the groups studied, Mexican Americans are least likely to have either overall coverage or coverage from an employer. An extended family increased the odds of having no one insured in the family. (RJM)

Increasing gang membership among Mexican-American adolescents is rooted in a cultural context and reflects a desperate attempt to gain some control over barrio life marked by low employment, poverty, and discrimination. Discusses the decision-making process involved, and recommends three ways schools can reframe their views towards these students,…

Outlines historical perspectives on Chicano self-definition and identity. Examines emancipation in Chicano literature, and contrasts the ideological positioning of two prominent authors deemed culturally relevant for "Hispanic" students. Offers the authors'"insider" and "outsider" perspectives for negotiating…

Examines eight undergraduate U.S. history survey textbooks in order to determine the coverage of Latino history. Examines four areas for understanding the historical experience of Latinos: (1) racial/ethnic identification; (2)immigration/migration issues; (3) labor/class matters, and (4) cultural concerns. Includes a bibliography of the reviewed…

Examines the beliefs of college-educated Chicanas regarding ethnic identification, preferred endogamy, and male perceptions of their achievements. Concludes that these women attempt to integrate traditional female role behavior with newly achieved professional status. (FMW)

Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans have had different geographical and cultural experiences. Problems specific to each group, and educational strategies to solve them, are presented to promote cultural pluralism in the schools. (JN)

Examines proverb use among 304 Mexican Americans (aged 16-85) of Los Angeles (California), assembling information on how or where particular proverbs were learned, with whom or what kind of individual their use is associated, the occasions on which they are used, and general attitudes toward the use of proverbs. (LC)

Discusses how literature can facilitate students' appreciation of the multifaceted Hispanic culture. Offers advice on merging Hispanic literature and literacy instruction, organizing children's books by category to help structure classroom activities, exploring themes and cultural concepts, and integrating literacy/thinking strategies with…

A $140,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities has allowed Heritage College (Washington) to develop a set of courses that incorporate literature and philosophy from Hispanic and American Indian traditions, as well as from Western and non-Western cultures in a thematic approach to the humanities. (DB)