Comprehensive Multicultural Education: Theory and Practice

by Christine I. Bennett

As our nation's population becomes more culturally, ethnically and racially diverse, the challenge of multicultural education has become essential. Yet many of our nation's schools, hampered by societal policies, shortage of funds, and lack of understanding, have not yet risen to this challenge to become multicultural in vision and practice. In response to this void, this book helps educators to understand multicultural education, to implement multicultural education across the curriculum, and to approach controversial topics like prejudice, racism, social justice and cultural pluralism. This book is based on the premise that teachers must understand and value students' individual differences for each student to reach his or her full potential. The author also offers vignettes of teachers and students she has known over the years to bring the discussion and subject matter "to life." Topics covered the connections between multicultural concepts, classroom practices and curriculum development, the understanding of students' cultural and individual differences, and the connection between multicultural and global education. Classroom teachers and administrators.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

436 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 1990

Reviews

[Mandy Anderson]

This was probably the worst textbook I have ever read. I was so excited for this class. I love celebrating diversity in my classroom. I love learning about the countries my students come from. I love to learn about what they value and what is important to them. I was hoping for a book that would teach about how to do that campus-wide. This was the most LIBERAL garbage on the planet and how it ever got to a college classroom I do not know. It starts by stating that in order to be a diverse principal there are 4 core values. Number 4 -honor and protection of our planet.... Now while I am all for recycling etc.. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DIVERSITY!!! It is all about pushing climate change politics. Then she rails about the Keystone Pipeline, and the HORROR of President Trump and how he destroyed the youth of America. She states that she is correct in many different areas because she says so. She follows that with there is not research to support it, but there should be (ARE YOU KIDDING ME??) Get your politics out of my textbooks!! This could have been the best class in my masters program. There was great history lessons, and some lessons to use on school campuses, but the far left, political garbage invalidated anything she said.

[Sarah Beth]

I enjoyed this textbook. I learned a great deal from it. The graphs and charts were particularly helpful. It did get kind of difficult to read at points but as a textbook, that's expected. Overall, a very great outlook on diversity and education as well as the history of immigrants in the United States.

[Cassie]

I read about 2/3 of the book (the assigned chapters for the class I am taking). It is very informative and thought-provoking but not as interesting or resourceful as some of the other course texts I have read towards my ESL endorsement.

[Anna]

Because of time constraints, I skimmed most of this textbook but would still highly recommend it to teachers that are interested in learning more about multiculturalism and diversity in the classroom. It's a very thorough, but practical text that tells you what you should know about different cultures and their histories and then offers ideas for how to be culturally sensitive as a teacher. It's very practical and the purpose of the text is to educate teachers so that they are 1) empathetic towards their students and 2) able to create a multicultural curriculum. It also addresses things like bilingual education, ESL, different learning styles, etc.

[Bender]

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