The purpose of this study was to qualitatively analyze the perceptions of student affairs professionals in their experience with diversity training to find effective diversity training methods. Directors of student affairs departments at Ball State University were asked to name post-master's professionals in their area who they felt were committed to diversity. One professional was selected from each of the ten participating departments.The interpretation of qualitative data revealed that diversity was consistently described by the participants as "difference;" that commitment to diversity was derived from personal experience; and effective diversity training methods included connecting to personal experience, allowing ample time for training, encouraging contact with diverse groups, and utilizing effective presentation style. Departments could better prepare their professionals for dealing with issues of diversity by having extensive training throughout the year and making diversity a part of the department's values. / Department of Educational Studies

Utilizing Boyer's (1990) four scholarship functions of professorial engagement and Wilber's (1998) four frames of organizational context, this inquiry examined faculty of color's experiences at a primarily White urban research university in their pursuit of facilitating students' intercultural competence. Specifically, through narrative inquiry, the study examined institutional factors associated with faculty of color's ability to integrate an intercultural competence focus in their scholarship of discovery, scholarship of integration, scholarship of engagement, and scholarship of teaching. Results indicate that research participants are strongly committed to the teaching, learning, community engagement, and scholarship of intercultural competence. However, institutional emphasis on the scholarship of discovery has forced them to invest most heavily in the scholarship of discovery rather than the other three functions of the professoriate. Moreover, while intercultural competence appears to be an institutional value, no specific definition exists and no intercultural performance criteria are outlined in promotion and tenure policies. Recommendations for supporting faculty of color's intercultural endeavors across the four functions of scholarship are framed in explicit organizational policies that affect implicit organizational norms, including: formal mentoring, equitable teaching and committee loads, and integration of intercultural competence into the institutional mission with attendant promotion and tenure criteria.

No description available.

This project addresses the need for more authentic multicultural curriculm in the elementary schools within California, specifically concerning Native Americans in Alaska Natives. This projects supports the need to include Alaska Natives in the California History/Social Science curriculum for fifth grade.

Teachers of English language learners (ELLs) are often ill prepared to provide content area instruction tailored to their students' needs. This explanatory mixed method study examined the relationship between 15 ELL teachers' multicultural attitudes and use of sheltered instruction (SI). The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether teachers' multicultural attitudes influenced their use of SI. Data were gathered using a Demographic Questionnaire, Multicultural Efficacy Scale (MES), Classroom Instruction Questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. A correlational analysis found no statistically significant relationship (i.e., r = -.34; p = .22) between participants' scores on SI observations and the MES. A correlational estimate for the four highest SI scorers indicated a relationship between the two sets of scores (i.e., r = .75; p = .25). Qualitative data did not indicate any patterns that might distinguish the high and low SIOP scorers; however, Aptitude Measurement Interaction may explain the different correlational results.

The purpose of this project is to provide educators with substantial background information on the unjust history of the Mexican migrant farm worker in the United States and the life of César Chávez. The final goal is to include multiple websites and resources teachers can independently access in order to gain valuable information on migrant farm workers, César Chávez, and social action.