Asa Hilliard describes how model teaching programs (like Project SEED), mentoring, and improved teacher recruitment can inspire new teachers to realize how good teaching can be. It is crucial for teachers to develop a deep knowledge about the subjects they love, because they will be eager to share what they have learned with students. (MLH)

Teaching portfolios are making their way into today's classrooms in three important ways: as habits of mind helping teachers define good practice; as processes teachers use for reflecting on their own teaching and learning; and as new teaching strategies mirroring student learning practices. (MLH)

To stay on the job, exhausted teachers need to get massages or do yoga, exercise regularly, get a pet or a plant to care for, recruit "wannabe" friends to teaching, surround themselves with appreciative friends, seek colleagues' assistance, and take real vacations to recharge batteries. (MLH)

A middle-school French teacher describes her frustrated efforts to discipline students and plow through the curriculum. She finally realized her job was not to dominate her classroom, turn out French scholars, or win a popularity contest. She settled for helping a few kids "beyond this point." (MLH)

A study of two racially diverse urban schools revealed that boys are chief teasers and bulliers and that teachers seldom intervene. A proactive curricular approach that explores differences, examines the meaning of courage, involves students in rule making, and promotes friendships across ethnic and gender lines is suggested. (10 references) (MLH)

The multiculturalism sought by Ronald Takaki is not ethnic separatism, but a serious scholarship that includes all United States peoples and challenges traditional master narratives of U.S. history. Class is a "hidden reality" of U.S. history. Multiculturalism affirms what this country stands for: opportunity, equality, and realization of our…

Recognizing racism involves acknowledging beliefs, attitudes, and symbols legitimized by those with cultural/political power and socialized in successive generations. By modifying curriculum and instruction and addressing expressions of racism, schools can help students move beyond tolerance to acceptance, understanding, and celebration of racial…

Heritage month programs may actually reinforce stereotypes. When planning heritage events, schools should develop learning objectives; address values, history, and current power relationships shaping cultures; employ food and dance in context; include all Americas; portray present-day Native Americans; and examine overall school curriculum and…

Subtlety and complacency mask ongoing gender bias in today's classrooms. Updates are presented concerning career segregation; single-sex classrooms; safety and health problems; dropout rates; gifted programs; male/female stereotypes; classroom interactions; SAT scores; math, science and technology gender gaps; political reversals; and female…

Detracking proponents should carefully examine research suggesting that tracking reform has potential dangers. One study shows that high- and average-track students of all racial and economic backgrounds lose out under heterogenous grouping. Detracked classrooms may encourage "bright flight" and erode low achievers' self-confidence. (MLH)

Schools' course structures and policies allow some families to garner the best educational resources. To treat all students fairly, schools must recognize privileged parents' racial/class motivations, infuse academic talk into informal networks, acknowledge "invisible" parents' aspirations, demolish communication barriers, and encourage advocacy…

Oregon's statewide social-studies assessment (a randomized, multiple-choice maze) is part of a "democratic" national standards movement that threatens good teaching and multicultural studies. If multiculturalism's key goal is accounting for historical influences on current social realities, then Oregon's standards and tests earn a failing grade.…

As bilingual education shifts toward more instruction in English, research on effective practice becomes increasingly important. To merge English language development (ELD) with content area learning, educators should avoid oversimplified material, use visuals to reinforce verbal content, provide sensitive feedback, and use synonyms and native…

A promising, increasingly popular model for English learners is one-way developmental bilingual education (DBE). DBE is appropriate in districts with large numbers of students of one primary language heritage. A well-implemented DBE program accelerates all students' growth through a meaningful, relevant, bicultural grade-level curriculum. (11…

Liberty High School is a one-year transitional school in New York City dedicated to helping immigrant students feel welcome, adjust to their new environment, learn to read and write in English, and become self-assured. Led by a "hands-on" principal, the school specializes in life skills and free clinic referrals. (MLH)