America has not realized the "melting pot" concept envisioned by idealists. Instead, racial, ethnic and cultural groups have remained largely distinct, separate societal entities that come together only by design, a phenomenon known as Balkanization. Students who mimic this behavior within the educational setting may do so to their academic peril. Educational leaders must be purveyors of change in terms of acknowledging diverse student demographic groups and developing diagnostic and prescriptive strategies to address their needs. Educational leaders may begin the transition through critical evaluation of the ELCC Standards and by tailoring the standards to address diverse student populations.