Focus On: Learning About Each Other

NEA Series Helps Educators Know Their Students

NEA Human and Civil Rights Department

As classes become increasingly diverse and multicultural, it is progressively more challenging for educators to reach every student. The following publications were created to help educators better understand students who come from groups that have been traditionally underserved in public schools. Knowledge of students' cultural background, history, community, and the issues they face every day can help educators close the achievement gaps among different student groups.

Here are the 2007-2008 Focus On publications:

» American Indian/Alaska Natives ( , 741 KB, 8pp) - Learning the Culture of American Indian Students: Two States Step Forward - Requiring educators to learn more about the culture and incorporate that into their teaching.

» Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgendered Persons ( , 196 KB, 4pp) - In the Intersection: GLBT Youth of Color - Key issues of a uniquely vulnerable population.

» Hispanics (, 390 KB,  6pp) - Special Education and English Language Learners - Misconceptions surrounding language differences vs. learning disabilities.  

» Blacks (, 391 KB, 4pp)- News We Lose: Black Student Gains - Why Black students, their teachers, and their parents must hear about their victories. 

» Women (available in 2008) 

» Asian/Pacific Islanders (available in 2008) 

Related Links

Focus On: Learning About Each Other's Culture  - The 2006-2007 Focus On publications on six cultural groups were written to assist all groups in getting to know various aspects and events in each other's culture or group. These publications are premised on the belief that when education employees know something about each other's culture or background, they can better work together, respect each other, and serve America's students.

Focus On: Closing the Achievement Gaps for Six Groups - The 2004-2005 Focus On series examines some of the barriers to learning and success faced by each of these groups of students, strategies to address these barriers, and additional resources for school personnel. 

Closing the Achievement Gaps - The goal of this Web area is to improve achievement for all students and close the achievement gaps, particularly for low-income and minority students.

Dropout Prevention - The goal of this Web area is making high school graduation a priority.

Do the Right Thing   The goal of this Web area is promoting thoughtful, respectful behavior.