Saturday, March 7, 2009

Multiculturalism

Alicia Richards
Fundamentals of Curriculum Development
Position Paper 1-Multiculturalism



The American Heritage dictionary defines multiculturalism as “of or relating to a social or educational theory that encourages interest in many cultures within a society rather than in only a mainstream culture”. The definition of multiculturalism is interpreted in a variety of ways in applying the theory to education. Individuals tend to mold their idea of multiculturalism to fit their own focus. Some concentrate on a curriculum shift of varying degrees, others on classroom climate issues, teaching styles, institutional issues (tracking, standardized testing, funding), while still others link multiculturalism in education to a larger societal transformation. Christine Bennett of Indiana University calls multicultural education “an approach to teaching and learning that is based upon democratic values and beliefs, and seeks to foster cultural pluralism within culturally diverse societies and an interdependent world”. The impact this idea of multiculturalism has on curriculum and how it can be used to improve our educational system are the essential questions facing educators.

Many of the original immigrant populations in our country sought to assimilate into the great American melting pot. Since those populations were primarily from Europe and Great Britain, the “American” identity became white, Anglo/European, Christian and middle-class. With the progress blazed in the United States by the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, other marginalized groups sought to have their cultural heritage and societal contributions acknowledged. Today, the “melting pot” concept has evolved into more of a “salad bowl” idea. Instead of sacrificing their cultural identity, people want to integrate their rich history into a new American identity. This concept is called cultural pluralism; many small groups who maintain their unique cultural backgrounds while integrating to form one cohesive nation. The US census bureau projects that by 2042 non-Hispanic whites will no longer make up the majority of the population. Our society is made up of people from every nation and to ignore that diversity is to reject what makes us strong and vital. The traditional educational perspective needs to change to better address this new societal reality.

Why do we need a multicultural curriculum? By including diverse perspectives, multicultural education (M E) broadens students understanding of their own and other’s cultural background and beliefs. M E provides a more accurate picture of our country’s and the world’s history. Students learn the value of other ways of life and recognize the contributions of diverse ethnic groups. Students make connections between what they learn in school and their home lives. Research has shown that student’s achievement increases when culturally familiar information is part of their everyday curriculum. M E makes curriculum relevant and inclusive for all students.

By facilitating the recognition of the strengths and values of diverse cultures, M E combats racism, sexism, and all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Students learn to respect and appreciate diversity. Students from different ethnic groups become classroom resources when their history and experiences are tapped to add depth to lessons. Curriculum that in unbiased and refutes stereotypes imparts more complete and accurate information to students.

M E also promotes critical thinking skills. One way it does this is by encouraging students to analyze information from a variety of perspectives and then synthesize that information into a new understanding. The more points of view students are exposed to the more fully they will comprehend a subject. M E also requires learners to question the inherent bias in some educational material. They must ask whose point of view is being imparted and whose voice is being excluded. How does this alter the information presented? By making knowledge relevant to all students, M E increases the likelihood students will comprehend new information. M E requires teachers to be sensitive to different ways of learning, which also increases a student’s chance of achieving.

In an increasingly small world, M E prepares students for the future by increasing their awareness of global issues and cultural dynamics. Technology and globalization have created a more interconnected and interdependent society. In order to succeed, people need to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to interact with different cultures on a global scale. The cultural connections curriculum builds in elementary and secondary school will empower students to change the inequities they see in their own communities and the larger world community.

The use of multiculturalism in education varies by degree and application. Some educators focus on content. They attempt to incorporate more factually correct information about ethnic and cultural groups. Content-oriented programs analyze textbooks and instructional materials for bias and select materials that provide accurate representations. The degree of multicultural integration varies. Some educators teach about “other” ethnic groups in isolation from the standard curriculum; Mexican culture is celebrated on Cinco de Mayo and black inventors take the stage for one day in February. The level of commitment to M E can increase from this token level by adding more multicultural materials and themes to curriculum. The highest level programs integrate multicultural content throughout the curriculum. Student-oriented programs focus on the achievement of students from particular groups, usually without changing curricular content. These programs require teacher sensitivity to culturally different learning styles. Student-oriented programs emphasize bilingual education and student adjustment to the mainstream culture. Socially-oriented programs offer the most holistic multicultural experiences. They make educational changes to engender a larger societal transformation. These programs combine both content and process to reduce bias, increase racial and cultural tolerance and understanding and emphasize the relationships and connections between all people. Socially-oriented programs are the epitome of multicultural education.

Multiculturalism offers a way for educators to acknowledge the rich, diverse history of our nation and world. It provides a remedy to the injustices and marginalization suffered by many who call themselves American and who desire to be valued for their past as well as their present. It allows all students a way to better understand the world and their place in it. We can see the benefits of multiculturalism in respect to many of the issues we’ve studied. NCLB demands that we find a way for ALL children to succeed; multiculturalism is one avenue to that goal. Ruby Payne encouraged us to understand the cultural background of disadvantaged children and to be sensitive to their needs; multiculturalism advocates understanding and sensitivity. Global competition requires critical thinking skills and an understanding of the way other countries/cultures operate; multicultural education increases both. One way to decrease the rate of student dropouts is to ensure that they are fully engaged in the learning process. Multiculturalism allows students to see themselves in the subjects they learn, to picture themselves as successful. Implementing a multicultural curriculum has many challenges, but the end result certainly seems worth the effort.

For more information on multiculturalism, check out these websites:

http://www.mcrcenter.org/ The Multicultural Resource Center is an independent school collaborative that works with member schools in the Philadelphia area to develop programming that promotes and enriches diversity in our schools.

http://www.tolerance.org/index.jsp
Founded in 1991 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Teaching Tolerance is dedicated to reducing prejudice, improving intergroup relations and supporting equitable school experiences for our nation's children.

http://www.teachingforchange.org/ Teaching for Change provides teachers and parents with the tools to transform schools into centers of justice where students learn to read, write and change the world.

http://www.edchange.org/ EdChange is dedicated to equity and justice in schools and society. We act to shape schools, organizations, and communities in which the full diversity of people have opportunities to live, learn, and thrive free from oppression.

http://www.nameorg.org/ National Association for Multicultural Education Advocates for educational equity and social justice

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