By studying Mexican-American families, the author learned that Latinos have a comprehensive, inclusive conception of educating children. "Bien Educado" connotes a sense of being well-bred, mannerly, clean, respectful, responsible, loved, and loving. Parental involvement in preschool may increase Latino parents' confidence in actively participating…

An El Paso middle-school teacher and her barrio students corrected each other and learned from each other daily. Her most difficult challenge was convincing kids to become more assertive when they felt they were mistreated by other teachers. Students wanted others to respect them and to refrain from prejudging them, laughing at their English, or…

At a suburban school near Atlanta, Georgia, three different types of tutors (adult, cross-age, and peer) helped resolve the problem of continued math failure among at-risk elementary students. Tutors filled in gaps and clarified critical misunderstandings when students were unsure of math processes. Using adult tutors as mentors motivated some…

At Horizonte, an alternative Utah high school, students help direct their own learning. The five guiding principles resemble fundamental beliefs more than specific strategies. Curriculum is shaped to meet student needs and learning styles, technology access is universal, the program is inclusive and multicultural, students are assisted to meet…

Seeking an afterschool program to help some fourth through sixth graders with reading, writing, and analysis, an Ohio elementary school formed a partnership with John Carol University, in Cleveland. Tutors were future teachers enrolled in a Reading-and-Writing-Across-the-Curriculum course; tutees were 25 children who needed either remedial work or…

Helping preservice and beginning teachers develop social insight or "withitness" remains a critical challenge for teacher educators. Secondary students are particularly critical of teachers lacking these qualities. Student teachers' insight-developing strategies include exposing themselves to adolescent culture, affirming students'"weather,"…

Describes how an English teacher and a special-education teacher cooperated to teach a "mixed" ninth-grade class of regular students, special-education students, and others who found English difficult. For special-education students, being part of a large class meant making new friends and encountering numerous challenges. The special-education…

Sponsored by Guatemala City's innovative Childhope/Pennat program, 30 teachers coach working children under trees in the park, in the streets next to their stalls, and in small, makeshift "mercado classrooms." Children learn how to do simple math, read official documents, understand their country's history, and manage a small business. They also…

In the two places where children should feel safe and supported (home and school), gay and lesbian youth are routinely reviled. Educators have a clear professional mandate to address sexual-minority students' needs. Stratford (Connecticut) Public Schools are addressing five important issues concerning professional development, support staff and…

Many gay and lesbian students are victimized by others' silence and bigotry. The author discusses her decision to accept her son's gayness, help other parents, and advise educators on creating a welcoming school environment. Educators should use appropriate terms, provide classroom speakers, challenge homophobic remarks, provide positive role…

Cultural literacy gives depth to multicultural education. Students not only celebrate diverse cultures, but recognize their society's pressures to fit the dominant cultural milieu--in terms of ethnicity, gender, family, and education. In the Vermont Equity Project, educators are helping children recognize and interpret cultural messages that shape…

Multicultural education has focused on increasing academic achievement and promoting greater sensitivity to cultural differences. Unfortunately, achievement-oriented programs stressing culturally based learning styles, bilingual or bicultural approaches, selective cultural programs, or minority- or gender-based grouping for math and science have…

Because race, class, and gender bias have become firmly institutionalized, achieving equity will require more than eliminating individual prejudices. Educators can use dyads, support groups, and personal experience panels to ensure that people stay focused on their personal stories; respect one another; avoid blaming, criticizing, and analyzing;…

Long-term research in three countries suggests that a teacher's interpersonal skills are crucial to creating and maintaining a positive working environment. Describes the Questionnaire for Teacher Interaction, a measurement to determine how well teachers communicate with their students. Describes how effective teachers solidify relations with…

Providing high-quality education for all students is far more complex than placing students of diverse backgrounds in the same classroom. Hawaii's Kamachamcha Early Education Project (KEEP) takes a group-oriented, culturally responsive approach to improving students' academic achievement while preserving characteristics of more traditional…