ABSTRACT
This chapter provides direction for advancing the state of research on the schooling of populations of color. It illuminates the several conceptual and empirical themes that are important for researchers to consider and adopt to improve theories and research with children of color. The chapter also provides several strategies for improving the cultural sensitivity of research on the education of ethnic minority children. It highlights the value of going beyond stereotypes and exploring alternative examples. The chapter explains combining qualitative; quantitative methods to give voice to participants and frame data and explicit testing of theory, not inferring cultural underpinnings of behavior; using an emic approach to studying populations of color; and examines linguistic, conceptual, and psychometric equivalence of measurement tools. To advance theories about the schooling experiences of ethnic minorities, researchers should also examine the interplay of cultural influences in different contexts.
