Researchers report that students at all levels find greater motivation and perform at higher levels academically when instructional methods complement student learning characteristics. Unfortunately, many teachers, both minority and mainstream, are unable to identify traits among ethnic minority youths that require a unique set of instructional strategies for a positive learning environment. Equally disturbing is that, once such cultural traits have been identified, teachers have no idea how to adapt classroom instruction to these traits.

This article describes several learning traits of Hispanic students and distinguishes these from traits commonly believed to characterize students from mainstream society. While this piece focuses on Hispanic students, the principle may be applied to students of other minority groups.