Summarizes several intervention efforts and programs dealing with the underrepresentation and lower achievement levels of minorities and women in mathematics. Suggests five directions for new approaches and an expanded research base. (YP)

Describes the Los Angeles Community College District's approach to increasing the diversity of the district's faculty and administration, while simultaneously turning around a declining enrollment. The district's approach included a retirement incentive program and a concerted marketing and recruitment effort directed toward minorities. Reviews…

Research has led to greater understanding of the career choices and needs of gifted and talented individuals and identification of appropriate career assessment instruments and interventions. Gifted girls/women and members of minority groups have special career development needs to be considered. (SK)

Reviews identity dilemma faced by American nonwhite students, then goes on to discuss the bicultural consciousness of contemporary nonwhite American students in the context of personal empowerment. Poses challenge to nonwhite students whose aptitudes and occupational aspirations seem congruent with mainstream norms. (NB)

Explores Toni Morrison's "Beloved," Leslie Marmon Silko's "Ceremony," and Marta Traba's "Mothers and Shadows." Identifies the novels as resistance tales that articulate minority perspectives. Points out that all three are dialogic and contain fundamental moments of captivity and liberation. Observes that, in each…

While colleges and legal analysts are focusing on what to do in the post-Hopwood world, some of us are still asking whether a move away from affirmative action was a prudent move from the beginning. Is it fair for society to move away from supporting students who have not had an equitable chance at the educational brass ring just because, in most…

The authors examine how peer relationships influence students' academic success. After defining peer groups, the article considers the ways in which students' peer networks facilitate or inhibit access to academic resources. The authors argue that the composition and purpose of a peer group influences academic achievement and students' likelihood…

We highlight major themes emerging from the articles in this special issue. These themes include (a) the importance of theoretical frameworks and clearly defined constructs for guiding the development of interventions, (b) a consideration of intervention effects on ethnic minority children, (c) the importance of positive social interactions and…

For too long, educators' approach to understanding the relationships between poverty, class and education has been framed by studying the behaviors and cultures of poor students and their families. If only we--in the middle and upper-middle classes--can understand "their" culture, why "those people" don't value education, why "those parents" don't…

In this article, the author comments on Peter Roos's article (this issue). The author sees a strong need to clarify whether the horse that is to be remounted is more and better English-as-a-second-language (ESL) programs or the goal of promoting bilingual education as a positive practice in the nation's schools or something else altogether. If the…

Schools can legally provide role models for minority and female students by taking the following steps: (1) providing bias-free programs and curriculum; (2) offering career awareness programs; (3) giving academic guidance; (4) counseling students on higher education; (5) and inviting "role models" to schools. (MLF)

Reviews and analyzes the social science methodologies used for "disparity studies," studies commissioned by various jurisdictions to prove contracting discrimination in order to establish minority set-asides. Evaluates the historical, anecdotal, and statistical approaches used. Argues that the studies are often skewed to achieve the…

Offers insights into the electronic net as it is encountered by professional women English instructors of color. Suggests new directions for research on the influence of socioeconomic class and culture on composition instructors. Demonstrates that although recognition and acceptance of class and cultural difference is fundamental to literacy…

This report provides a policy framework for specific programs that will improve the achievement of minority students in the Illinois educational system. All levels of education from pre-kindergarten through graduate education must be involved in designing and making such programs work. Education is the key element that can enable minorities to…

This paper examines the complex and interrelated issues of inadequate schooling for urban ethnic minority children and declining numbers of ethnic minority teachers. Two observations underlie the paper's approach: teachers are becoming less able and willing to teach students who are different from themselves, and as a result, teacher "inadequacy"…