The purpose of this study was to describe how meaning was socially constructed within a task-based small cooperative learning group. The group was composed of five native English and English as a Second Language speaking teachers and teachers-in-training enrolled in a graduate course entitled "Curriculum Development for Heterogeneous Classes" in the Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies Department in the School of Education at the University of Massachusetts. This study examined the claim that participants in cooperative learning groups must be willing to set their personal beliefs, desires, and agendas aside in order to focus their attention on the learning needs of their peers and to shift the attention of their peers to explicitly relevant information (Gee, 1990). Further, groupwork is described as an interactional experience that involves conflict, tension, and individual risk-taking behaviors (McCutcheon, 1995). This study examined the claim that these behaviors can have a positive effect on a group's process when the willingness to analyze conflict and tension through the risk-taking process of revealing one's experience, perception, and self are present (McCutcheon, 1995). This study researched these claims by investigating the discourse of a small cooperative learning group in this course. This study provides an ethnographic thick description of the normative patterns that emerged through the group's work. These include the communicative norms that were co-constructed prior to and after the naming and analyzing of conflict. The results of this study reveal that participants were willing to focus their attention onto the needs of their peers and were willing to focus the attention of their peers to explicitly relevant information after conflict was named. Analyzing conflict was not easily obtained in this group. Members avoided and resisted this process. However, naming conflict was seen to have a purpose in this cooperative learning group and provided a rich source of insight about the complexities of conflict, tension, and individual risk-taking behaviors in cooperative learning settings composed of native English and English as a Second Language speaking learners.

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of University Aviation Association (UAA) member postsecondary institutions that were experiencing student delays in flight certification. Such delays can lead to increased costs for the student, the failure to complete the intended academic program, and an interruption in career progression. This study queried the aviation program administrators of UAA member flight institutions to determine the extent of the problem. Through a questionnaire, the researcher determined whether a relationship existed between student flight curriculum progress and certain identified factors at those institutions. A survey instrument was used to obtain responses to questions such as: the level of flight student progress delays, institutional policies regarding prepayment for flight services, the number of students failing to complete their flight training in the semester predicated by the syllabus, the impact of weather and finances, the use of ground-based training devices, and institutional policies relating to flight student incomplete grades. The study revealed that approximately 88% of the respondents noted that they were experiencing a problem with flight student progress delays at their institution. The research indicated that institutional financial policies, such as the formal determination of flight student finances in advance of each semester, were factors in reducing "Major" progress delays. The use of simulation or ground-based training devices was associated with a reduction in the flight progress delays. Flight instructor turnover was not a substantial factor in the student training delays. No relationship was noted between the incidence of flight student progress delays and the level of degree offered at the postsecondary institutions. A larger percentage of the flight student progress delays were classified as "Major" at two-year rather than at four-year institutions.

The primary purpose of this proposal is to evaluate the strengths and weakness of an Afrocentric education in an urban school to promote the academic achievement of impecunious black children. This study is important to understanding ways to improve the academic achievement of low-income and disadvantaged black students who are marginalized from the mainstream of American society. This proposal analyzes educational and social forces that prevent poor black children from achieving in urban schools and policies that separate them from the general school population. The study addressed the state of blacks in America today, and shows reasons why urban schools must change to save black students. The study also shows that the current educational system in urban communities does not work. The study discusses whether or not school integration has helped black children improve in their overall educational experience. This study examines and explores the development, characteristic, learning style, and cultural backgrounds of teachers and students who interact in traditional public schools in insolvent urban communities. This study also examines a critical pedagogy in the sociology of the black experience. This part of the study explores black children in a social and historical context in American society. The major finding in this study showed a significant improvement in students' academic achievement based upon documents from the state's DOE and it has renewed Bannker's charter. The sentiments from the major stakeholders appeared to be satisfied with the overall performance of the school and in the direction its going. The positive results on standardize norm reference test has soften the opposition once held by some of the stakeholders in respect to its radical departure from integration. Many parents have witnessed the positive changes in students' self-esteem and self-worth at Banneker and in the community. Therefore, many of the stakeholders believe that education programs of a cultural relevant motif designed does enhanced low-income and disadvantaged black students' academic achievement. This study was limited to low-income and disadvantaged black children attending urban schools where every effort to desegregated these schools has failed and the majority of children has failed and is continuing to fail.

Generally, mentoring programs are important in providing an opportunity for minorities to acquire the requisite training for their career advancement. Specifically, this particular dissertation examined a minority-based mentoring program from the perspective of the factors that were known to be crucial to success among participants in the Connecticut Community Technical Colleges Minority Fellowship Program. This study examined data involving 106 African Americans, including Latino and Asian professionals between 1989 and 1999. The purpose of this study was to explore the mentees perceptions of the Minority Fellowship Program and ascertain what factors contributed to the success or failure of their mentoring relationships. A five-point Likert type scale of 65 items and 10 open-ended questions were utilized to measure the perceptions of mentoring experience among the participants of the Minority Fellowship Program. An overall analysis of the data revealed that the participants in the program felt a high degree of satisfaction with their goals and objectives throughout their involvement in the Minority Fellowship Program. Additionally, the training derived enabled the participants to become more effective in carrying out their assigned responsibilities. Furthermore, it was found that the participation provided the fellows a considerable opportunity to establish successful teaching/administrative careers within the community college system.

The following study examined the use of inclusive pedagogy by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty at three community colleges. The study was developed in response to a gap in existing knowledge about inclusive instruction in two-year colleges. The purpose was to identify barriers to the adoption of inclusive teaching methods for diverse learners and students with disabilities, and to propose ways to break down these barriers. Three research questions designed for the study asked about (a) the current teaching styles and methods of curriculum delivery used by community college STEM faculty, (b) the levels of awareness and knowledge of community college STEM faculty about inclusive teaching practices, and (c) the personal, attitudinal, and environmental factors that inhibit community college STEM faculty from using inclusive pedagogical practices to better serve students with disabilities and other diverse students. A sequential method was used to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data regarding instructional practices, pedagogical knowledge, and beliefs about teaching and learning. Two hundred and eleven STEM faculty members responded to a questionnaire that was administered electronically and 11 faculty members were interviewed, 9 of whom were observed in the classroom. Findings revealed that a significant number of these community college faculty members have an inclusive mindset and believe in adapting their instruction in order to accommodate learner differences. These faculty members also appear more knowledgeable about pedagogical practices than what has been reported in previous literature about four-year faculty. Many of the faculty members are using multimodal instructional methods. However, a significant gap still exists between what they believe and know and what is actually put into instructional practice. A number of barriers that prohibit the use and development of inclusive practices were identified in this study. The most significant among the barriers reported were the lack of an inclusive mindset, lack of knowledge about pedagogy, high teaching loads, and lack of time for instructional development. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.

"Ms. Cowhey, I have a text to world connection!"-Gabriella, first grader, is a critical ethnographic account of a highly successful and nationally visible white teacher, and her first grade students who named themselves the Peace Class during the autumn of 2002 when the United States declared war on Iraq. The study examines the teacher's use of critical pedagogy as it relates to Freirian concepts of dialogue and revolution, and her use of critical intertextuality as I call it, and the academic achievement and agency of her students. The teacher, who is the main participant of this study, is committed to issues of equity and academic excellence. She is engaged in an interest convergence that promotes success for the teacher, her students, and the larger school community. Ms. Cowhey is an excellent white multicultural educator and ally. This critical ethnography includes findings from data collected over a full school year of research. The teacher featured in this study retained her students as they looped from first to second grade, providing a rare opportunity for further research. It is a hopeful study with implications for teacher preparation programs, professional development and white teachers who want to gain the understanding and skills needed to respond to a changing demographic landscape and who are committed to social justice issues in education.

This case study was undertaken to determine if the mission of the Regional Planning Program at Western State College is being fulfilled. The mission states that the Regional Planning Program should offer interdisciplinary, or integrated, education. The problem is the course work in the Regional Planning Program has become very specialized, creating fragmented education. The research methods, including historical review and in-depth interviews, indicate several findings that support the recommendation for a reorganization of the curriculum at Western State to implement interdisciplinary study. First, an historical analysis of the transformation of the college mission during the early 1900s reveals two major themes. One theme is the need for change in the academic programs to include practical applications. The justification for the creation of the Regional Planning Program at Western was based on the pragmatic aspects of the program. The other theme is the need for integrated education, or education that incorporates the theoretical with practical applications from several related disciplines, to solve problems. The historical review of the Regional Planning Program shows that integrated education is not being offered. Second, a review of the literature on interdisciplinary teaching, or cross-principles teaching, was conducted to determine how interdisciplinary programs are structured and how the Regional Planning Program at Western State compares to these programs. It was found that the interdisciplinary teaching techniques and curricular structure described in the literature are not part of the Regional Planning Program. Third, a series of in-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted with five professors. Two professors are members of the Regional Planning and Geography Department. The other three professors are members of the History, Biology, and Business/Economics Departments. It was found that these professors teach traditional, disciplinary courses. It was concluded from the case study that regional planning at Western State is not treated as an interdisciplinary field. Although the data indicate that the professors believe the Regional Planning Program should offer an integrated education, there have been few attempts to integrate course work. A reorganization to create an interdisciplinary approach at Western State is put forth in the conclusion.

Multiculturalism and a committment to an ideology of cultural pluralism has been both a high profile and contentious government policy since its origin in Canada in the early seventies. Multiculturalism has also influenced educational practices and opened the way for multicultural and race relations education. With continuing high immigration, successfully meeting the challenges of cultural pluralism in society and education, and gaining support for its commitments from the public, is increasingly important. This study examines these challenges by considering the ideals, strengths, weaknesses, evolution and misconceptions of a philosophy of multiculturalism with emphasis upon educational implications. Three fundamental elements of multiculturalism are considered: ethnic identity, social integration and intergroup relations. This research contributes to the literature by providing a qualitative component focusing upon the experiences and perceptions of immigrant youth who are experiencing social integration into the Canadian multicultural society. The above themes are examined through the relevant literature and an exploratory study. Group discussions were held with adolescents, mostly immigrants, in homogeneous or similar ethnic/cultural groups--Latin Americans, Chinese, Vietnamese and South Asians. The conversations focused upon ethnic identity development, acculturation, intergroup relations and the youths' perspectives on North American culture and multiculturalism--particularly in the context of secondary schools in Vancouver. Three of the groups were held in the mother tongue. The themes are discussed by respective ethnic/cultural groups and comparisons and commonalties between the groups are explored. The interviews emphasize the development of "new ethnicities" as the youths engage in "cross-cultural analysis" and accommodate their new environment without forfeiting their ethnic identities. The latter part of the study exposes misconceptions around multiculturalism and, supported by the findings from both the literature and the interviews, illustrates both the evolution and potential of multiculturalism as an approach to managing cultural diversity. The final section examines the implications of the findings for schooling in a culturally pluralistic society. Although the study is set in the Canadian context, it has applicability for various culturally diverse nations concerned with social integration, intergroup relations and their educational implications.

This study investigated the perceptions of fifteen minority preservice teachers about teacher education. Research questions guiding data collection included (a) what is the life history and past educational experiences of the participants, (b) what is it like to be a minority preservice teacher in a teacher education program, and (c) what meaning do the participants place on these life experiences? A phenomenological interviewing format was used with each participant, where three 60-90 minute interviews were conducted 5-7 days apart. Focusing questions for each interview (respectively) were the research questions. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and coded into categories using constant comparison. Member checking, peer debriefing, and prolonged engagement assured triangulation of the data. Four distinct topics emerged from the interviews with the participants: (a) feelings about being a minority, (b) features of elementary and secondary school experiences, (c) coping strategies, and (d) presence of support systems. Participants' feelings about being a minority varied from those who were proud and vocal to those who did not publicly recognize or acknowledge that participants' feelings about being a minority varied from those who were proud and vocal to those who did not publicly recognize or acknowledge that part of their identity and even suppressed it. Participants' elementary and secondary school experiences were interpreted as feelings of discontinuity among their minority identity and the structure of the dominant society's educational system, to those participants who did not view their school environment as incompatible with who they were as a minority. A collection of coping strategies was identified by participants which helped them survive as a cultural minority in a dominant society. These coping strategies ranged from actions that were culturally introverted to behaviors that were culturally immersive. The presence of support systems was discussed. These were addressed by participants as giving them a sense of belonging and structure to their daily lives. Ultimately, participants identified daily anxieties that European American preservice teachers simply do not face. These included (a) feelings of incompatibility between their teacher education program and their cultural heritage, (b) inability to speak English effectively (ESL), (c) feelings of alienation due to a lack of minority support, and (d) feelings of isolation as the only or one of a few minorities in their program or classes.

This is a report of an ethnographic study of a graduate level Methods course for ESL/Bilingual teachers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The course is organized around task-based, small group, facilitative and collaborative learning. One of the intriguing aspects of the course is the opportunities it provides for students to identify, understand and critique the ways that they share power and authority with each other and with the course professor. This research investigates the early inception of the role of facilitator within this complex educational practice. The role is purposefully under-defined so that facilitators can experiment with it, and turn it into something that has meaning for them. My research questions address the enactments or "dance" of authority--how it is experienced, voiced and shared by facilitators and students in this classroom community. I have developed a theoretical framework for three concepts or "modes" of authority and their consequent acts. They are: compassionate authority, involving the act of imaginatively taking up positions for one another (Jones, 1993); scholarship authority--the act of reframing and generating theories of the facilitation practice in order to understand and critique this pedagogy (Christ, 1987); and inventive authority--the act of creating, finding and remembering the substance of discourse (Lefevre, 1986). These modes of authority are mutually sustaining, and when converged steer us away from conceiving of authority dichotomously. Drawing on the notions of positioning (Carbaugh, 1994b) and intertextuality (Bloome & Egan-Robertson, 1993), I highlight the distinctive social positions that are created discursively when students uphold, reject and resist these modes of authority. The findings reveal that authoritative relationships at this site are contingent, patterned in moment-by-moment changes and often asymmetrical. The findings also reveal that the interactions constitute a balancing act--a power of balance--among the three modes of authority. Ultimately, this study should provide insights into discourses of compassion, critique and invention in multicultural and multilingual education.