A grant from The New World Foundation made possible a series of lectures during the academic year 1969-1970 on the theme "Urban Education in the 1970's." A number of the specialists who had participated in the first work conference were invited to deliver another lecture. Each was asked to take another look at urban education from the vantage of…

Reports on the achievement of the first Waldorf public elementary school in Milwaukee (Wisconsin). Early experience indicates that Waldorf pedagogy, with its emphasis on the natural rhythms of everyday life, is an effective model for predominantly African American children in an inner city. (SLD)

Detailed text analysis was used to examine the expository writing patterns of four academically successful African American high school students. These bidialectic students brought culturally influenced text design patterns into the classroom. Implications for writing instruction for culturally diverse students are discussed. (SLD)

The articles in this theme issue focus on urban education. The first essay, "The Changing Urban School" by Rosanne Bacon, notes the challenges of urban schools. As the nation's cities change to reflect a more diverse, multicultural, and multiethnic population, urban schools must meet the needs of a rapidly changing student population. Teachers are…

Prominent Americans were asked to reflect on the diversity challenge facing America's teacher workforce. The following leaders from several fields voiced their support of teachers and their beliefs America needs more diverse and culturally responsive teachers: (1) Mary Hatwood Futrell, President of Education International; (2) Carol Moseley-Braun,…

Examines the history, philosophy, methods, and operations of the Mary McLeod Bethune Institute, an Afrocentric supplementary Saturday elementary school in Los Angeles (California). Qualitative data show the role this enrichment plays in developing socially active and capable African American youth through the study of African American culture and…

This paper evaluates a program for educators, youth workers, and parents in four Atlanta (Georgia) Public Schools designed to teach African American children the positive aspects of their cultural heritage and to increase their self-esteem and desire to learn. Although the Self-Esteem Through Culture Leads to Academic Excellence (SETCLAE) program…

This study examined the effects of African-American preadolescent children attending Saturday programs on African heritage and history offered at an African-American heritage center located in their neighborhood. In the first year, the study planned, designed, and implemented the program on a trial basis at a local community center. The second…

This study reports grade, gender, and environmental (school structure) differences in self-reported use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana among urban black adolescents. Among the results are the following: (1) an equal percentage of males and females reported having "tried" cigarettes and alcohol; (2) males reportedly smoked more cigarettes…

This report reviews six recently published books on the education of urban and minority youth, and the social and cultural environment in which they live. "The Homeless in Contemporary Society" (edited by R. D. Bingham, R. E. Green, and S. B. White), is a primer on homelessness in America. "Gender Influences in Classroom…

This study identifies the opinions and ideas of black scientists that are agreed upon by black elementary school teachers as being useful for improving the science education experiences of black elementary school children. Background information about the scientists and teachers who participated in the study is provided. Relevant literature is…

This master thesis examines the African American male students in San Bernardino (California) middle schools and high schools in order to compare those findings to findings in the literature and to be able to recommend ways to improve their performance. The study reviews available statistical data about African American male students compiled by…

Examines the relative effectiveness of two different chemistry curricula. African American students enrolled in an inner-city high school who took ChemCom, a Science-Technology-Society-based science curriculum employing cooperative learning as an integral component, scored significantly higher gains on a standardized measure of chemistry…