Refers to both physical and institutional access to learning facilities, resources, and curricular programs. To meet the diverse needs of all students, some of whom require specific skills to access the school curriculum, compensatory policies and practices are necessary to ensure equal participation in school programs by all groups.
Acculturation generally follows culture shock.
Two considerations that result in differing acculturation outcomes are whether it is considered important to maintain one s cultural identity and to display its characteristics, and whether people believe it is important to maintain relationships with other groups. The person learns the language and the gestures, and attempts to understand and empathize with the perspectives of the second culture, but may resist the encroachment of the second culture on his or her own culture. The only way to be immune from exclusion and deportation is to stop being an alien and become a naturalized U.S. citizen. In the assimilation process, retaining one s original cultural identity is deemed relatively unimportant and the focus is on taking on the new culture s beliefs, values, and norms. One must remain an asylee for a year before becoming eligible to file for an adjustment of status to become a legal resident.