This paper describes the Puente Project, a program developed to provide support services to Latino students attending California community colleges. A discussion of the organizational response to students of color and of organizational socialization practices is followed by a description of the development of the Puente Project. The project's…

This book reports on a 3-year ethnographic study of academic achievement and schooling orientations among immigrant Mexican and Mexican American students at a Houston (Texas) high school. The study included a survey of the entire student body (2,281 students), participant observation in the school and community from 1992 to 1995, 25 open-ended…

Studies predicting success in college for students graduating since 1980 are reviewed. SAT scores and high school records are the most common predictors, but a few studies of other predictors are included. The review establishes that SAT scores and high school records predict academic performance, nonacademic accomplishments, leadership in…

Assessed differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White adolescents' HIV risk behaviors and psychosocial determinants. Surveys indicated that attitude was the strongest predictor of intention and risky behavior for both sexes. There were ethnic differences in sexual experience and condom use for females but not for males. Other predictor…

A longitudinal action-research project began with professional development to help elementary teachers understand differences between the collectivist values of most Latin Americans and the individualistic values of the dominant U.S. culture. Teachers could then capitalize on the collectivist values of helping others to support Latino student…

Describes study that investigated achievement and motivation effects related to locus of control and learner control on seventh and eighth grade Hispanic students completing a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) science lesson. Use of the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility scale is discussed, and a questionnaire that assessed student…

Discusses some of the cultural differences between Hispanics and middle class Whites that may create problems in the classroom. Examines the following areas: (1) nonverbal behavior; (2) cognition and perception; and (3) values. (FMW)

Investigates cognitive strategies that Hispanic elementary school students use in critical thinking social studies problems. Describes a survey examining the use of 12 cognitive strategies and the analysis of task completion. Concludes that students need to learn specific cognitive strategies in higher level tasks. (KO)

Inquired 69 students' beliefs about registering for high school chemistry. The information was used to develop a questionnaire and persuasive messages. Among 598 target students, chemistry enrollment was higher than expected for those receiving in-class student-only materials and lower than expected for those receiving student/parent take-home…

Explores how an invisible pedagogy (integrated curriculum) benefits young adolescent females attending a school for educationally disenfranchised students, using Bernstein's theory of pedagogic practice. Examines aspects of the curriculum that positively impact gender identity among young, working class women, emphasizing skills and knowledge that…

In a rural New England school with a small and frequently changing Latino population, a bilingual Latino paraprofessional created a homelike, supportive environment in the ESL resource room. The room was culturally relevant in its organization of multiple simultaneous activities, mirroring the spatiotemporal fluidity of Latino homes. Conflict…

Examined the first year of cooperative planning between an elementary school and the local community for a full-service elementary school collaboration. Data from observations, surveys, and interviews provide feedback on perceptions of student achievement, barriers, parent participation, leadership and power, the planning process, and goals and…

The numbers of Latinas who attend college, stay in college, graduate, and attend graduate school escalated in the 1990s, surpassing gains made by any other underrepresented group of students in higher education. However, their achievements come at a personal cost, as the high-achieving Latinas profiled in this chapter demonstrate.

The authors sought to assess the perception of risks for coronary heart disease (CHD) in college men and women. They surveyed 470 undergraduates from 2 major 4-year institutions who completed a questionnaire that measured perceived risks for heart disease. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents rated their risks as lower or much lower than those…

One of our greatest educational challenges continues to be improving the education of English language learners (ELLs). Because many new teachers are underprepared and many veteran teachers wholly unprepared for teaching ELLs, school districts nationwide have initiated professional development programs for inservice teachers. In this article, the…