This dissertation disaggregates the "Hispanic" category to examine the various factors shaping the educational trajectories of students who encompass this large ethnic group. This project consists of three studies, each presenting the perspectives of principal stakeholders: families, schools, and a community-based educational initiative.…

Penn State Hazleton sits at the very edge of town, on the top of a large hill, literally, as far removed from Hazleton as it possibly can be. Only a handful of professors actually live in Hazleton, and nearly all students return home for the weekend. Compared with the main campus, the student population at Penn State Hazleton is quite diverse.…

Presents findings of an 18-month participant-observation research project on a Puerto Rican bilingual teacher's strategies for negotiating between the dominant culture's requirements and minority students' predicaments and aspirations. Discusses this teacher's thinking about her role and the beliefs and values that shape her pedagogy. (KH)