A WestEd Knowledge Brief Overview Introduction A Framework Individualism & Collectivism Applications Conflict & Harmony Community Knowledge Summary References About this Publication About Bridging Cultures CONTACT Elise Trumbull WestEd etrumbu@WestEd.org Carrie Rothstein-Fisch California State University, Northridge Patricia M. Greenfield University of California Los Angeles

Bridging Cultures in Our Schools: New Approaches That Work About the Bridging Cultures Project Bridging Cultures is an action-research project that set out to find ways to improve cross-cultural communication in the classroom. A partnership among education researchers at WestEd, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University at Northridge, and seven elementary teachers from six public schools in Southern California, the Bridging Cultures group is designing and field-testing professional development materials, workshops, and course modules for in-service as well as pre-service teachers. Currently, the project is supporting teachers to work specifically with immigrant Latino students and their families. In addition to the authors of this brief, the Bridging Cultures research team includes Blanca Quiroz, Harvard Graduate School of Education. We are also documenting how understanding the individualism—collectivism framework can affect teachers, particularly the perspective teachers gain on their own culture and that of schools; how this influences their thinking and practice; and teachers’ increased abilities to build relationships with families that support student success in school. See also: Bridging Cultures between Home and School: A Guide for Teachers (in press), Trumbull et al.; "Bridging Cultures with Classroom Strategies," C. Rothstein-Fisch, P. M. Greenfield, & E. Trumbull (1999). Educational Leadership, 56 (7), 64-67; and "Bridging Cultures with a Parent-Teacher Conference," B. Quiroz, P. M. Greenfield, and M. Altchech (1999). Educational Leadership 56 (7), 68-70. Bridging Cultures Research Team Patricia M. Greenfield Blana Quiroz Carrie Rothstein-Fisch Elise Trumbull Collaborating Teachers Marie Altchech Catherine Daley Kathryn Eyler Elvia Hernandez Giancarlo Mercado Amada Pérez Pearl Saitzyk Bridging Cultures in Our Schools: New Approaches That Work A WestEd Knowledge Brief by Elise Trumbull, Carrie Rothstein-Fisch and Patricia M. Greenfield © 2000 by Wested ® All Rights Reserved. To order a print version of this publication contact Tom Ross at (415) 615-3144   This information can be found at http://www.wested.org /online_pubs/bridging/about_bc.shtml Last modified April 20, 2001 ©2008 WestEd® || (415) 565-3000 || www.WestEd.org