Interviews with 26 Latino high school students in California indicated that distinct school cultures (career academy, advanced placement, general education) were experienced in different ways by U.S.-born and immigrant Latinos. These experiences influenced their school engagement and academic success. (Contains 48 references.) (SK)

Comparison of foreign-born Hmong who immigrated as children and second-generation Hmong-American high school students shows that economics, perceptions of family relationships, culture, and educational experiences influence school attitudes and provide more variation than the stereotypes of model minorities and delinquents. Accommodation and…

Attempts to eliminate bilingual education and English as a second language programs marginalize children at risk and fuel antiimmigrant sentiments. Educators should strongly advocate schooling for immigrant children. (SK)

Analysis of census data shows how educational attainment varies with race, nationality (African blacks, Caribbean blacks, European whites), and generation of U.S. residence. Educators should move beyond the notation that race equates with culture and ethnicity and learn about the effect of assimilation on schooling. (Contains 82 references.) (SK)

A comparative longitudinal approach to acculturation follows immigrant children from different generations across time, isolating the effects of acculturation from normal developmental shifts. Acculturation can also be examined in terms of level and developmental progression across different aspects of adjustment. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

The summative article in this special issue highlights the challenges in educating immigrant students, research needs, and the kind of educational environment that should be provided to enable immigrant children to thrive. (Contains 27 references.) (SK)

Examines aspects of initial teacher education and continuing professional development in Scotland against the backdrop of McCrone Report recommendations on teaching conditions. Discusses teachers' attitudes toward their own professional development; the nature of professional knowledge, skills, and values; and some principles to promote genuine…

Examines changes in Scottish local education authorities' support for school-level innovation and improvement following reorganization of local governments and devolved management to schools in the 1990s. Concludes that while increased school autonomy to manage change is important, there is still need for external support systems as part of a…

Evaluation of a Scottish national pilot "baseline assessment" of preschool and primary students included interviews and surveys of preschool and first-grade teachers and head teachers in schools participating in the pilot. Most welcomed the professional judgment approach to student evaluation but identified significant issues related to…

A two-phase study of how schools engage parents in their children's learning involved surveys of headteachers and school board chairpersons at 35 Scottish primary schools and of 47 parents of first-grade children at 4 schools. Teachers were generally committed to involving parents but were not necessarily adept at sharing information with them.…

In a peer interaction task involving controversial topics, 30 undergraduate psychology students identified strengths and weaknesses of various items of evidence. Participants could make some appropriate criticisms of evidence and were most positive about research-based evidence. However, generalizations were most frequently used to bolster…

Traces how the assessment of special educational needs has been carried out in Scotland since 1980. Discusses ambiguity of terminology in legislative and policy documents between needs located within the child and those related to educational resources; difficulties caused by abolition of student categorization by handicap; and suggestions for…

Reviews alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use by youth in the United Kingdom, and explores some problems with drug education in Scottish schools. Discusses teachers' lack of confidence in their own credibility as drug educators; moral dilemmas arising from values conflicts between teachers, students, and families; teacher responsibilities; and…

Reports on educational activities in the Scottish Parliament for Fall-Winter 2000-01. Discusses efforts to prevent a recurrence of the Scottish Qualifications Authority's failure to deliver timely and accurate examination results; recommendations to increase student financial support for further and higher education and thereby widen access; and…

Comparison of teacher-assigned grades and Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores in English, math, and science for 736 eighth-graders reveals that MCAS hurts African-Americans and Latinos/as in math and girls in math and science. Equitability disparities indicate the need for caution in high-stakes testing; scores should be…