This text focuses on the special needs of culturally and racially diverse learners with exceptionalities.  The culturally and linguistically diverse learner is profiled in terms of disproportionate positions within our society and schools.  A case is made for why intense attention is needed for this population, the points of greatest need for this population and why certain types of instruction are more appropriate for those students with the most significant educational needs.  The text discusses the nature of culture and cultural/linguistic diversity in the United States, the exceptional learner-those with both disabilities and gifts, assessment/testing issues, family issues, ways to prevent academic and social problems through early intervention, and methods for teaching both social and academic behaviors.  Additionally, the text provides community and study skill content that are especially important for CLDE learners.

Highlights of this First Edition:

• An exclusive and in-depth focus of culturally and linguistically diverse learners with exceptionalities - helps educators meet the challenge of increasing the achievement of CLDE youth to meet national standards.
• Introductory guiding questions - give the reader an overview of the chapter and prepares the reader for the content of the chapter.
• Teacher Tips - help to recapture the main points of the preceding text and give the reader very specific steps for applying the suggested procedures and strategies.
• Introductory Vignettes - authenticate the content of each chapter by demonstrating the unique conditions of CLD students with exceptionalities.  Many of the vignettes are revisited at later points in the chapter to provide examples of how the concepts in the chapter related to CLDE learners.
• Applications - give explicit examples of how the information can be used in the classroom.  They take the guesswork out of taking theory to practice.
• Related Learning Activities - found at the end of each chapter.  They are largely applied so that the reader will try out the suggested strategies with actual CLDE populations.