Online Journals

Cultural Diversity, Pedagogy, and Assessment Strategies
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2668196
By: Serge Madhere

The journal article entitled, Cultural Diversity, Pedagogy, and Assessment Strategies, discussed the academic performances of students of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds (white to non-white students as stated in the article.) Ogbu’s thesis stated that the academic success of a group is based on the ideals of the minority. Ogbu’s theory explains the differences in achievements in three groups. These three groups were assessed on their achievements by their ideals as a culture and minority. Although most people are monolingual when it comes to social context, bilingual speakers also learn the rules of their second language in which they code switch in different situations

Adapting to Diversity: Organizational Influences on Student Achievement
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1981973
By: Richard C. Richardson, Jr. and Elizabeth Fisk Skinner

The journal by Richardson and Skinner focused on the topic of achievement and participation rates in minorities such as African Americans, Hispanic, and Native Americans (American Indians). The researchers also focused on the problem within the educational system to help the students adapt to change of ways and environment. This was difficult because minorities such as the one said earlier, these groups of people were thought to be inferior to the majority. These changes were rather difficult because of the hesitation to change ways and to accommodate diversity.

Title: The Challenge of the 21st Century: Developing a Highly Qualified Cadre of Teachers to Teach Our Nation's Diverse Student Population
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2668104
Author(s): Mary Hatwood Futrell

Furtell’s journal article expressed the need to have certified teachers in the public school system. During former President Clinton’s time in office he found the need to nationally certify teachers. With the certified teachers in the public school system it gave an opportunity to the low income and minority children to have the chance to be educated by them. Also with the need to certify teachers there are also the standards to certify future educators.

Title: New Connections for Sociology and Education: Contributing to School Reform
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3108453
Author(s): Joyce L. Epstein

Epstein’s journal discussed the downside to the school system and practice. In The “traditional” school environment, educators and administrators focus on the cognitive development of the students whether it be elementary, middle or high school however they stray away from the sociological aspect of education. Although psychology has a lot to offer to the reforms from the sociologist’s point of view they believe they have much to offer to school reforms as far as its practices, approaches and theories. this research was done over a ten year span with the observation of family involvement with student’s education and the overall community involvement and the success of the student’s.

Title: Contemporary Bilingual Life at a Canadian High School: Choices, Risks, Tensions, and Dilemmas
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3108468
Author(s): Tara Goldstein

This journal is an ethnographic study that was done over a four year span on students who used two different languages and the achievements they have made in a Canadian School where English was the language of instruction. Since the immigrant students were speakers of two languages and English a second language teachers had to find new and creative ways to get information across and make it meaningful. The study focused on the students of two languages, cultures, and communities. It also focused that teachers should learn about their students especially one’s of different ethnic backgrounds.

Title: Language and Schooling
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2112601
Author(s): Hugh Mehan

Hugh Mehan described in this journal the important role language plays in education. Language in school has been more stratifying on a more social level, student’s interaction. Mehan also observed the difference of language in two settings, the home and in school. Both of these settings have different effects on language and learning. Not only does language play a distinctive role but also the environment and cultural settings. These points were taken into consideration when achievements of students were observed. These factors are very influential and should not be overlooked.

Title: Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Classroom: Does It Promote Student Learning?
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2672879
Author(s): Patrick T. Terenzini; Alberto F. Cabrera; Carol L. Colbeck; Stefani A. Bjorklund; John M. Parent

These authors highlighted the issue on racial and ethnic diversity in the classroom with examples of the inequality of minorities in getting an education. In 1965 Act was passed which allowed people of different ethnicities to be admitted into the classroom and treated equally. Schools have adopted this in which they implement equality upon the students of all ethnicities. This journal explores the issue of diversity in the classroom and its effects on the learning and achievement of students who are in these divers classroom environment.

Title: The Study of Diversity: The "Knowledge of Difference" and the Limits of Science
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3838817
Author(s): Benjamin Baez
This journal talks about the impact of diversity on education and the school setting. Diversity has been a “hot” issue especially in the classroom. It has been observed of its effects in the classroom and will diverse classrooms work in school settings.

Title:Technology and Teaching Culture:Results of a State Survey of Foreign Language Teachers
https://calico.org/html/article_442.pdf
Author(s): Zena Moore, Betsy Morale and Sheila Carel

The article, Technology and Teaching culture, is an article that researched the implementation of technology in the classroom, specifically in teaching culture. The core topic of the article described the little use of technology when teaching. The lack of using such media tools when teaching culture. This written piece discussed the infrequent use of technological tools such as e-mail or the World Wide Web. The tools were ranked by language that is taught, level of learners (i.e. Elementary, Middle and High school) and school setting (i.e. Urban, Rural and Suburban).

Title: Bilingualism and Education
http://www.hku.hk/linguist/cou/sec/ling2037/hakuta1989.pdf
Authors: Kenji Hakuta and Eugene E. Garcia

Hakuta and Garcia talked about the controversy of bilingual education in the United States. The article stated that population of speakers of other languages (English not primary language) rose in recent years. The linguistic minority raised more in some states such as: Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, New York and Colorado. The ongoing debate of bilingualism both linguistically and socially has stirred up some misconceptions about the topic. The article entails some problems of bilingual education and the bilingual child.