This article, a 5-month ethnographic research in Oaxaca, Mexico, examines various aspects of the literacy curriculum in 2 Mexican primary schools. The author observed and interviewed 35 students in 6th grade and 7 teachers in 2 schools, as well as examined student writing and teaching materials. The research suggests that though the…

Urban public schools and their teachers are under siege. From increased standardization, privatization and testing to a growing number of students whose needs are not being met by schools, urban public school teachers face a daunting task. Without a space in which to critically examine their daily experiences within schools, many well-intentioned…

This book presents a collection of classroom practices that view the personal experiences of diverse student populations as valuable resources for instruction. It offers teachers various responses to the challenges posed by students' cultural, linguistic, and social group affiliations. The book contains essays arranged into three interwoven…

Historical views about individuals and communities shape the ways that researchers interact with people and their communities. The European settlers thought of Native Americans as savages in need of socialization. Accordingly, the first researchers had little concern for the needs of Native people and their communities and sought to impose Western…

These proceedings from a conference on the health needs of Asian and Pacific American (APA) children include discussions and recommendations from each breakout session. The breakout sessions focused on trends and services; K-12 education; health and mental health; child abuse and neglect services; bias crime and violence; and poverty and welfare…

Begun in 1993, a 5-year project examined treatment modalities and outcomes and counselor and client attitudes related to American Indian or Alaska Native vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients with alcoholism or substance abuse problems. Specifically, surveys and focus groups examined elements of successful substance abuse treatment and VR…

Diversity of geography, climate, and culture dictate the nature of the service delivery systems in Alaska, including the provision of prevention programming in substance abuse, alcoholism, health, and behavioral health. Described here are training programs, conferences and symposia, health fairs, and culturally derived interventions that meet the…

School-based drug abuse prevention programs have been a standard approach in American Indian communities for three decades, but the evidence for their effectiveness is meager. However, it is unreasonable to expect that schools alone could have a major impact on a behavior that has multiple and interactive social causes. It would be folly to…

Discusses multilingual resources for children--books in languages other than English as well as dual language books written in both heritage languages and English for immigrants. Focuses on the challenges dual language books present for translators, emphasizing that publishers' insensitivity has often resulted in inadequate translations. (10…

Reports on the design and implementation of a successful health promotion intervention for older, low-income African Americans in three Georgia communities. The program included culturally sensitive health promotion training to increase participation, a grassroots network to disseminate health education materials, and indigenous older lay…

A Canada Native with hearing and vision disabilities describes his educational experiences of being isolated because he was deaf and Aboriginal. He now works as a deaf/hearing translator and as an advocate for urban Natives with disabilities who need culturally appropriate services. Hearing persons cannot lead deaf Native literacy programs because…

Describes the theory of action linking the Chicano-Latino Youth Leadership Institute with positive youth development, highlighting promising practices. Selection of participants is based on an application process and Hispanic high school students are encouraged to apply. Data from surveys, focus groups, reflection forms, and analysis of Minnesota…

Understanding the overlap between culture, race, substance misuse, and maltreatment is central to implementing better permanent plans for children and their families. Examines the intersection of these areas and presents a typology of five competency areas for culturally relevant substance abuse knowledge, attitudes, and skills to strengthen…

Compares suicide rates among American Indian youth with those for other racial groups and discusses suicide risk factors for the general youth population and for American Indian youth. Describes school-based programs in terms of suicide prevention, intervention, and "postvention" strategies, with emphasis on adaptation to specific cultures.…

Examines advances in the use of technology-based assessment in special education. Topics include the need for better assessment tools, culturally relevant assessment so minorities are assured of equal representation, expanding definitions of learning and knowing how as well as what to measure, time factors, and a holistic approach. (LRW)