The idea for this special issue arose when the Puerto Rican and Latino Studies Institute called together a small group of scholars during the Spring of 2001. Scholars presented discussions on contemporary issues facing U.S. Latinos, including topics on globalization, law, education, and communication. This collection will be of interest to scholars, educators, students, administrators, and policymakers concerned with advancing knowledge in critical education, language policy and the press, technology and education policy, selective skills in media reception, and critical analysis of popular television programming.