The author discusses the “permanent impact” of the Spindlers' work on psychological and educational anthropology. He focuses on their work on American culture and on their theory of “dialogue” and its transmission in formal school settings. Their influence on Hispanic and African-American anthropologists has been great. The Spindlers identified a mainstream cultural dialogue which centers on particular values like independence and hard work which are both assimilated and transformed by immigrant groups. The special circumstances of Chicanos and African- Americans are discussed with reference to school and formal education.