"What we believe about young people matters--it informs how we treat them and what they come to believe about themselves," writes Pushout author Monique Morris. Unfortunately, according to recent studies, adults tend to view black girls as less innocent and childlike than their peers. This biased belief can lead to harsher discipline in…

In order to reach black students academically, we must first know where they "live" socially, culturally, and emotionally, says Horace Hall, a mentor in Chicago Public Schools. In his work with Chicago teens, Hall has learned the importance of understanding the significant challenges these youth face, both within and outside of school,…

The author, a consultant on equity in schools, relates how she helped a high school's leadership team become aware of, and begin to overcome, patterns in their interactions that silenced certain voices and perspectives. Aguilar explores the concept of implicit bias--which was likely behind these leaders' harmful patterns and also contributed to…

Describes the "Across the Lines" project involving an interchange between students and teachers of two racially isolated schools in the Hartford (Connecticut) area. A racial mix of 50/50 was achieved through planned science museum visits, randomly paired pen pals, and an MCI electronic mail connection between schools. (MLH)

Although young children cannot comprehend the wide-ranging laws and attitudes that have discriminated against minorities, they can begin to understand issues of fairness and individual rights through role-playing and other activities designed to engage both hands and minds. (MLH)

Concludes that changes made in portrayal of blacks in American history textbooks is superficial and of little substance. (DS)

Article illustrates the inferior image the black child produces in our elementary schools and the victimization suffered by the parents of black children. Stresses the crucial parent-child-teacher relationship and the need to return to basic skills in the classroom. (RK)

As more and more White middle-class families adopt children of other races, educators need to be even more sensitive to the individuality of their students. (Author/TE)

An advocate of cultural pluralism underscores the need for racial and ethnic diversity in predominantly white suburban schools. (Author)

Heritage month programs may actually reinforce stereotypes. When planning heritage events, schools should develop learning objectives; address values, history, and current power relationships shaping cultures; employ food and dance in context; include all Americas; portray present-day Native Americans; and examine overall school curriculum and…

Although far more African-Americans are physicians than NBA players, pervasive mass-media images say otherwise. Playing sports is fun; education offers the truest hope for future success. Certain elements that enhance sports programs (strong motivation, shared commitment, intensive instruction) might be applied to academic learning. (MLH)

A white elementary teacher at a suburban school with multicultural programs discovered that his class of African American and Hispanic sixth graders thought they (and other dark people) were inherently bad and destined for poverty. Aided by a black guidance counselor, the teacher helped these kids shed their "badness" and understand…