This digest describes ways in which professionals who work with students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can create an educational climate that accepts and respects the language and culture of its students and empowers them to feel confident enough to risk getting involved in the learning process. Methods of creating such an educational climate include: (1) incorporating minority students' language and culture into the school program; (2) encouraging minority community participation as an integral component of children's education; (3) allowing students to become active generators of their own knowledge; and (4) using an advocacy orientation in the assessment process. (CR)