Public schools are facing the largest crisis in American educational history. More and more minority students are attending public schools, and traditional methods of instruction are failing to meet their needs. The back-to-basics and belt-tightening movements within public schooling are part of a last-ditch effort to support an elitist education…

A case example involving a Native American family referred to a child welfare agency illustrates social work intervention strategies that encourage cultural competence, recognize power differences between cultures, promote understanding of role variations and belief systems, consider alternative approaches for helping clients with drug or alcohol…

Notes the problem of teaching reading and writing in a way that is not racially or culturally biased. Offers teaching strategies for combating this, including using a wide variety of works from other races and cultures that provide a range of minority perspectives in a nonstereotypical fashion. (JC)