1. Bridging Cultures Framework
But First, What Is Culture?
Power of the Bridging Cultures Framework
Limitations of a Single Model for Child Development
Dynamic Nature of Culture
Individualism and Collectivism
Further Contrasts between Individualism and Collectivism
Different Orientations, Different Outcomes
Individualism and Collectivism in Collision
Relationship to Other Frameworks for Understanding Cultures
Stands of Multicultural Education
2. Parent Involvement: Recommended But Not Always Successful
"Minority" Parent Involvement
Parent-School Partnerships: Responsibilities of Parents and Schools
Factors Influencing Parent Participation
Looking beyond Demographics to Interpersonal Processes
Finding Common Ground between Home and School
3. Cross-Cultural Parent-Teacher Conference
What is a Cross-Cultural Parent-Teacher Conference?
Tradition of Parent-Teacher Conferences
Research on Cross-Cultural Parent-Teacher Conferences
Culture and Communication in the Parent-Teacher Conference
Using Cultural Knowledge to Enhance Communication
Improving Parent-Teacher Conferences
Putting the Parent-Teacher Conference in Proper Perspective
Understanding Parents' Points of View
Evaluating the Messages That Schools Send
Being More Conscious of the Messages Sent
Developing Closer Personal Relationships with Families
Extending Opportunities for Parent-Teacher Interaction
Promoting Bicultural Proficiency
5. Teachers as Researchers
Inquiry and Reflection: Two Intertwined Elements in Action Research
Teachers as Researchers in the Bridging Cultures Project
Collaborative Action Research
Teacher Research as Professional Development
How Successful Has Collaborative Action Research Been in the Bridging Cultures Project?
Hope and a Touch of Reality
6. Conclusion: The Challenge of Coming Together
Need for Cultural Knowledge
Update: What's Happening Now?
How Does Bridging Cultures Fit into the Big Picture of School Reform?
What's to Be Gained? App. Bridging Cultures Project in Brief.
