This report addresses the following: (1) rates of gain, levels of academic achievement, and participation in district programs of various cultural/ethnic groups of students; (2) the ways in which the Portland (Oregon) public schools' curriculum addresses appreciation and knowledge of students' own culture and that of others; and (3) the extent to…

Discusses traditional models found in teacher education and multicultural education to better understand the union of these two fields. Explores the implications of multicultural teacher education for future research in the field of multicultural science-teacher education. Proposes several ideas for multicultural science-education inquiry for…

Summarizes the findings of exploratory research into factors that influence the success of minority students in schools with a predominantly White population. Observes that academic, social, and environmental barriers continue to face minorities on predominantly White campuses and presents recommendations to overcome those barriers. (MJL)

This report, which is the result of an 18-month examination of the complex factors that influence the quality of teacher education, emphasizes that those involved in the profession should take the lead in improving the education of teachers. Specific recommendations are made for actions by: college-based teacher educators; school-based teacher…

Explores barriers to Hispanic women's (1) attainment of higher education, and (2) professional advancement as college and university faculty members. Focuses on the need to actively recruit Hispanics at the graduate level. (GC)

By themselves, standardized teacher competency tests only aggravate the impending shortage of qualified teachers. A more comprehensive approach is needed to make teaching the kind of appealing profession that can both sustain higher standards of admission and attract greater numbers of candidates able to qualify under those higher standards.…

The authors review a variety of strategies that could be employed by school districts, teacher education institutions, and state agencies to attract and retain or retrain Hispanic teachers in math and science. (MT)

While the task of defining and counting the Hispanic population is very complex and existing data is inconsistent, several trends emerge with implications for public education policy. Between 1970 and 1980, California's Hispanic population increased by 50% to 4.5 million, 19.2% of the state population, and is expected to increase to between 24.4%…

Currently used standardized measures for testing competency do not predict classroom performance. Unique qualities that ethnic minorities bring to classrooms, such as language and cultural knowledge, should be viewed as assets. More realistic criteria are necessary in order to solve the shortage of minority teachers. (Author/GC)

The Maryland State Department of Education Task Force on Recruiting Minorities for Professional Staff Positions was charged by the State Superintendent in August 1987 with developing a systematic state plan of action to increase the number of minorities in professional positions throughout Maryland's public schools. The group specifically…

Holds that current competency tests for teachers do not predict actual ability to teach and cause educational, social and cultural problems by exacerbating teacher shortages and reducing the number of minority teachers. Calls for development of valid measures of teacher competencies and training and support of minority teachers. (GC)

Most women and minority faculty who sue on grounds of discrimination when denied tenure become alienated from their colleagues, fall behind professionally, and forfeit their jobs. Only one in five is successful in courts. Describes the outcomes of several recent cases and summarizes a 1987 book on the subject. (DM)

Explores how competency tests and other measures can be used to improve the quality of teaching in the current context of teacher preparation. Proposes a teacher education model aimed at early motivation toward teaching careers, stronger subject-matter competence, and master's degree level preparation. (GC)

Reviews the current status of beginning-teacher assessment or apprenticeship programs; discusses the impact of assessment on Black and other minority prospective teachers; and urges that Black teacher-educators seek to influence policy decisions to ensure equity as well as excellence and help graduates overcome obstacles to becoming teachers.…

The National Education Association (NEA) asserts that precertification testing should be an important filter for guaranteeing that only competent candidates are certified to teach. However, NEA also stresses that all teacher education students must have equal opportunity and access to the resources required to produce quality teachers and is…