An Introduction to Multicultural Education: From Theory to Practice

by Chinaka S. DomNwachukwu author of "The Theory and

Overview

An Introduction to Multicultural Education provides a balance between the principles and practice of multicultural education in the K-12 classroom, presenting multicultural education as a learner-centered pedagogy. DomNwachukwu's book projects foundational principles and practices that make multicultural education relevant and appealing, while eliminating ideas and practices that produce negative reactions and outcomes. An Introduction to Multicultural Education utilizes historical data to make the case for equity pedagogy, going further than other books on this topic to provide practical steps and approaches to implementing multicultural education. The person and cultural identity of the teacher is addressed in-depth. The person and nature of the learner and the learning process are addressed as foundational ideas behind equity pedagogy. Such multicultural education topics as gender equity, universal access, religious pluralism, and bilingualism (or multilingualism) are all addressed with much detail. This book provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the theoretical and practical support they need to provide equal and meaningful education to all the students in their classrooms.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607096849
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/16/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Chinaka Samuel DomNwachukwu is associate dean for academic affairs, professor of multicultural education, and chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Azusa Pacific University, Azusa California.

Table of Contents

List of Figure and Tables v

Preface vii

1 Humans as Cultural Beings: Foundations for Multicultural Education 1

2 Engaging the American Cultural Mosaic 17

3 The Crises of Cross-Cultural Encounters 43

4 Educational Inequalities in American Schools 69

5 Historical Foundations of Multicultural Education in the United States 83

6 Title I Categorical Fund: A Sample Federal Government Attempt at Educational Equity 99

7 American Multilingualism and the Challenge of English Language Learners in the American Educational System 111

8 Religious Diversity and the Public Schools Systems 131

9 Gender and Women's Rights in American Educational History 145

10 The Learner and the Educational Process 163

11 Exceptionality and Learner-Centered Pedagogies for the Regular Education Classroom 173

12 Standards-Based Planning and Teaching in a Multicultural Classroom 199

Glossary 215

Appendix A Annotated Bibliography of Multicultural Literature for Grades K-12 223

Appendix B Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, February 7, 2003 229

Appendix C Archived Information: United States Department of Education 237

Notes 245

Bibliography 263

Index 277

About the Author 289

Editorial Reviews

An Introduction to Multicultural Education by Chinaka Samuel DomNwachukwu is an amazingly comprehensive, direct, personal, and inviting discussion of the conditions, challenges, and possibilities for equitable schooling in our nation. The author mixes well-documented history, a wide range of contemporary sources, pertinent case studies, and his own personal commitment to effective education. His early chapter on culture is informative and insightful in its approach, and his historical review of multicultural education sets the stage for later chapters on English-language learners, religious diversity, women's rights, and exceptionality, as each of those topics stretches and helps define the effective practice of multicultural education. The book concludes with a practical discussion of multicultural education in the context of standards-based accountability. This is an important book that moves multicultural education theory and practice forward in twenty-first-century American schools..

Alan H. Jones

DomNwachukwu finds it unfortunate that this nation has not resolved the 'dynamics of her plurality as it affects the education of children who are recent immigrants,' and its continued denial that multilingualism and multiculturalism are intrinsic parts of its national identity.

Reynaldo Baca

DomNwachukwu's book is an effective contribution to demystifying multicultural education in a manner that provides readers with step-by-step procedures for use in their classrooms, all within the context of an authentic historical perspective and commitment to social justice. Through the use of reflective writing, narratives, and suggested activities, readers are guided to link classroom applications to their own inner journeys. This book is unique in its ability to talk to the new and veteran teacher,the elementary and secondary teacher, and the teacher with culturally homogeneous or culturally heterogeneous classes. DomNwachukwu has provided a straightforward, uncluttered presentation of multicultural education that will serve candidates in schools of education as well as participants in school districts' professional development needs..

Randall B. Lindsey