Normativity and friendship choices among ethnic majority- and minority-group children

Two-hundred-and-fifty-eight White British (ethnic majority) and British South Asian (minority) children (5, 9 and 13 years old) chose potential friends from descriptions of peers who had traits and preferences that were either consistent (normative) or inconsistent (deviant) with ethnic group membership. White children chose peers from the ethnic ingroup. Younger Asian children (5 years) more often selected an outgroup peer, although ingroup choices increased with age (9 and 13 years). Normativity and strength of ethnic identification did not affect choices. However, children who selected an outgroup child tended to have more cross-ethnic friendships than those who did not. The implications for theories of group dynamics and intergroup contact are discussed.

Administrators' Perceptions of Teaching Competencies for Rural Minority Group Children with Exceptionalities

Recognizing the need to establish a competency-based preparation program for personnel serving bilingual children with disabilities, a needs assessment survey was undertaken involving administrators presently assisting this population in a rural public school area. The results identified competencies that principals, counselors, and special education directors deem important. It is this needs assessment that provides the basis for the positions taken in this paper regarding the training of personnel to teach the bilingual child with disabilities.