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Given the increasingly diversity of the

United States, it is imperative that theeducation system grows in order to meet thedemands of the changing face of classrooms.

Benefits of Multicultural Education

Increases productivity through avariety of mental resources and the

promotion of cognitive and moral

growth among people

Renews the vitality of societythrough the richness of different

cultures

Increases creative problem solvingskills through different perspectives

applied to problems

Decreases stereotyping and prejudicethrough direct contact and interaction

among diverse individuals

Fosters development of a broaderand more sophisticated view of the

world

Current Issues

With there being a need for youth to become

more globally competent, the education

system has to facilitate that process.

Unfortunately there are still issues and there

are some instances of progress being setback.

The curriculum does not integrateschool life with the community life

of the students

Typically, textbooks placeinformation about minorities in aspecial features section while the

main text, from the perspective ofthe dominant group, remains

unaffected by the multicultural

information.

Minorities treatment in the widersociety is reflected in their treatmentin education.

Minority parents and students tend tobe more critical of the curriculum

and mistrustful of teachers andschools due to long history of

discrimination.

The passage ofArizonas HB 2281 banning

Mexican-American studies classes and otherethnic studies is a specific example of

moving backwards.

Classes cannot promote overthrow ofU.S. government, resentment toward

race or class, be designed for aspecific ethnic group, advocate

ethnic solidarity

Violating schools can lose up to 10%of funding

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Conclusion

Given the previously stated points, it

becomes easier to understand the importance

of a true multicultural education. One can

see why minority students and their parentswould have pessimistic attitudes. Because

they do not see positive or relevant

representations, students may feel as thoughthey do not have a worthwhile place in

society. The full story has to be told, the

story with all parties involved and presentedaccurately. In an increasingly global

society, it is important to understand

different cultures and groups of people. It

only makes sense to begin this process with

understanding the diversity in our owncountry.

For more information, please see:

1. Ameny-Dixon, G.M. (2004). Whymulticultural education is more important in

higher education now than ever: A global

perspective.International Journal of

Scholarly Academic Intellectual Diversity, 8

accessed online at

http://www.nationalforum.com/dixon.htm

2. Ladson-Billings, G. (2003). New directionsin multicultural education: Complexities,

boundaries, and critical race theory. In J. A.

Banks & C. M. Banks (Eds.),Handbook of

research in multicultural education, 2nd ed.

(pp. 5065). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-

Bass.

3. Mickelson, R. A. (1990). The attitude-achievement paradox among Black

adolescents. Sociology of Education, 63, 44

61.

4. Ogbu, J. U. & Simons, H. D. (1998).Voluntary and involuntary minorities: A

cultural-ecological theory of school

performance with some implications for

education. Anthropology & Education

Quarterly, 29, 155188.

By: Dominique Thomas

Georgia State University

P.O. Box 5010Atlanta, GA 30302

dthomas60@student.gsu.edu