This theme issue contains papers on race and ethnicity in public education: "Introduction" (Philip Hart); "Toward Democratic Education: The Importance of Culturally Responsive Leadership in 21st Century Schools" (Donna M. Davis); "Improving the Selection Process for Identifying Gifted Ethnic Minority Children" (John Dillard and Nettye R. Brazil); "High-Stakes Tests Require High-Stakes Pedagogy" (Randy Lattimore); "Over-Representation of African-American Students in Special Education: The Role of a Developmental Framework in Shaping Teachers' Interpretations of African-American Students' Behavior" (Valerie Maholmes and Fay E. Brown); "Why Malik Can 'Do' Math: Race and Status in Integrated Classrooms" (Jacqueline Leonard and Scott Jackson Dantley); "Race, Ethnicity, Class, and School Dropouts: A Policy Perspective" (Richard Verdugo); "Alternative School Administrators 'At Risk': What Does It Mean for Children?" (Christopher Dunbar, Jr.); "The Impact of a Culturally Responsive School Environment on Pre-Service Teachers' Willingness To Teach in the School" (Delois Maxwell); "Tribute to Dr. Harold Horton" (Trevor L. Clement); and "Commentary" (Tanya Hart). (Papers contain references.) (SM)