Children's success in literacy is largely dependent on the active and systematic communications between parents and teachers. In this study the essence of literacy is observed in the Portillo Community when working class Mexican-American parents empowered each other by sharing their experiences to help their children in school. Utilizing their ability to read and interpret their reality the families collectively organized to transform their children's educational opportunities.

To help both new and seasoned teachers to become more effective with their students from diverse backgrounds, Becoming Multicultural Educators edited by Geneva Gay, offers fourteen compelling stories from different regions, cultures, ethnic groups, and stages of professional and personal growth in developing multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. One contributing author declares community participation and social activism are the keys to his professional growth. For another, multicultural understanding comes when she learns to unveil the masks of insidious negative stereotypes. Through these stories, we share their struggles as these educators come to understand diversity among ethnic groups and cultures, resolve conflicts between curricular and multicultural goals, and find authentic models and mentors for their students. But most important, we learn how this laudatory group of educators has come to realize that they need to know themselves if they are to truly know their students. Well-grounded in education theory, Becoming Multicultural Educators is both personal and inspiring. This is the book that will help teachers, and those who prepare them, blossom as educators and human beings.

This highly focused collection of papers, commissioned by the National Urban League, offers a candid and courageous portrait of black education in transition. This is a period, as the editors note in their opening remarks, that is characterized by a huge shift from federal responsibility for minority education to authority and autonomy being lodged at the local government level. Further, many institutions that once worked well, no longer do so. Many ambitious social programs and policies that originally promised much, have been abandoned, have failed, or just faded away. Pivotal to these times and changes is the question of the extent to which the American educational system has been, or still is, capable of being responsive to incorporating and even instigating equity and excellence for black Americans. This volume asks the hard questions: is the educational system geared up for the maintenance of anything other than mainstream values? can it adapt to minority youth requirements? when, why, and how do educational policies of majorities and minorities clash? How are priorities to be established--on the basis of wealth or need? The legal statutes and administrative enforcement of equal educational opportunities are explored in depth and with a deep compassion for all parties involved.

School Social Workers in the Multicultural Environment is a new approach for creating diversity in classroom and field curricula. The contributing authors offer practical advice for the effective teaching of multicultural content, which is now a requirement in the Curriculum Standards of the Council on Social Work Education. The authors address existing fears some readers may have regarding the teaching of multicultural content in social work and provide educators and field instructors with a model for overcoming these fears and for creating classroom excellence. Multicultural Education offers educators a chance to explore how to implement the required material effectively.While offering guidance to educators, School Social Workers in the Multicultural Environment focuses on fundamental and controversial approaches to multicultural social work education by answering these questions: Do educators know how to teach multicultural social work content? Where should multicultural content be taught? Should schools offer courses or workshops to facilitate faculty development? How should schools monitor multicultural outcomes? In what way should content be evaluated--peer evaluation, formal teaching observations, or other methods?School Social Workers in the Multicultural Environment, written by experienced educators, field instructors, and practitioners, provides advice on the teaching of multicultural social work content in both urban and rural areas and among many different populations. The book examines in depth the unspoken myths and fears encountered in teaching multiculturalism to students and helps educators and curriculum planners avoid common, unfortunate mistakes often made in multicultural classrooms and field instruction. Topics discussed include: Student Learning Processes for Multicultural Content Classroom-Tested Teaching Strategies for Cultural Competence in Practice Classes A Model for Measuring Multicultural Outcomes Perceived Racism and Minority Student Retention Differing Student and Educator Perceptions in Field Instruction Field Instruction Strategies for Successfully Teaching Cultural, Ethnic, Gender, Class, and Age Characteristics Rural Diversity Education Strategies American Indian Social Work Student Issues Human services educators and curriculum planners, who must effectively teach and implement multiculturalism in their programs, will find School Social Workers in the Multicultural Environment leads the way in creating classroom excellence. It stresses the importance of creating a new model for teaching and practice, for students and educators.

This collection pays tribute to Professor Wallace E. Lambert and his contributions to the fields of language and linguistics. Each chapter, written by an internationally renowned theorist or researcher, traces the currents of theory and research within the topic area to the present day, provides a state-of-the-art review of the topic, and offers an outline for future research directions. The book concludes with an overview from Professor Lambert that critically examines the impact of the ideas in each individual chapter. This volume is organized around the three areas where Professor Lambert's unique contributions are most substantial and most evident: bilingualism, multiculturalism, and second language learning. Specifically, the papers presented discuss the topics of social, psychological, cognitive, and neuropsychological aspects of bilingualism and second language learning, the psychology of inter-group relations and multiculturalism, bilingual/immersion education, and language planning. Note: Royalties earned from sales of this book will go to the Wallace E. Lambert Student Research Fund at McGill University for use by students interested in second language acquisition, bilingualism, and/or multiculturalism.

Lower school achievement of minority children is usually explained by projecting "deficits" upon the children -- deficits that are attributed to genetic or environmental causes. In contrast with tradition, the contributors to this book demonstrate how group differences in academic accomplishment and test scores are affected by cultural factors and standard educational practices as well.

Over the past three decades, American higher education has witnessed a shift in demographics which has created a more diverse student body. However, many university campuses remain unsupportive or even hostile to minority faculty and students. This anthology introduces to readers the Difference, Power, and Discrimination (DPD) Program, a 15-year-old curricular model, at Oregon State University. DPD is concerned with helping students understand the complex dynamics of difference, power, and discrimination and how these dynamics influence institutions, with the goal of empowering students to alleviate oppression and other negative outcomes. Teaching for Change addresses the needs of those who are engaged in diversity training and curricular reforms both in higher education and public schools. It will serve as a useful guide for administrators as well as teaching faculty who are interested in initiating similar programs.

'Cultural proficiency challenges learning communities to go even deeper when inquiring about student barriers to success. This perspective is necessary to truly address the achievement and expectation gaps in our schools. Before we ask ourselves why our students are not succeeding, we must understand and examine our own perceptions and assumptions about them'-Timothy A. Bias, Administrator, Pomona Unified School District, CA Close the achievement gap with equity-focused professional learning communities! Professional learning communities (PLCs) can be a powerful force for creating equitable, inclusive schools where all students succeed. Integrating the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency with the PLC framework, this relevant guide offers school leaders, district administrators, and staff developers a collaborative approach to address bias and inequity. Culturally Proficient Learning Communities discusses the impact of our history on cultural understanding and provides a wealth of practical PLC-building strategies-including assessment and inquiry-driven planning, instructional design, curriculum development, coaching, leadership, and shared decision making. The authors examine the goals, purpose, and process of creating and sustaining equity-focused PLCs through: - Templates, protocols, activities, and rubrics for deconstructing inequity in student achievement - Stories, tools, and thinking prompts to guide an inside-out transformation toward cultural proficiency - An extended example of one school district's journey in becoming a culturally proficient learning community Schools that view diversity and differences as assets and opportunities will experience stronger holistic growth and increased academic achievement!

?Habla espanol? Improve your Spanish with Dummies Spanish Workbook For Dummies is full of clear explanations and hundreds of practice activities for beginning Spanish learners. You'll learn how to express yourself, ask questions, talk about the past, and construct simple sentences--en espanol. As you work through the book, complete practice exercises, get lots of writing opportunities, and have tons of fun. Then check your work, with answers and explanations at the end of every chapter. Plus, you'll have access to handy verb charts, a thematic vocabulary list, and mini-dictionaries, right inside this very book. Learn the fundamentals of Spanish with integrated grammar that advances as you go Work through practice exercises and activities as you read through each chapter Improve and activate your Spanish with explanations of each workbook answer Avoid common mistakes made by Spanish learners and get ready to travel, chat with friends, or interact with colleagues This friendly Dummies workbook is perfect for beginners of all ages. If you're looking to get started with Spanish, step right in--we've got the practice, practice, practice you need to succeed.

At a time when American society is desperately seeking to create hope for inner city black youth, this study serves as a tool to encourage those responsible for teaching and socializing young African-American males, who may feel they have little chance for success. The study involved 17 African-American male students at a historically black college in Miami, Florida. These students had great desire to achieve and did so despite daunting obstacles such as neighborhoods plagued with drugs, gangs, and crime. Interviewing students at the moment in their lives when they had successfully advanced beyond their environment, the author helps them to analyze their past in an honest manner.

The case studies of the individuals reveal that family is the most relevant factor in the student's success; particularly, the presence of one person who cares and encourages the young man is vital. In President Clinton's speech to the NAACP in July 1997, he remarked, I am tired of being told that children cannot succeed because of the difficulties of their circumstances. All we do is consign them to staying in the same circumstances. It is wrong. Through the stories of these students who have overcome their odds, this book can serve as an inspiration for younger African-American males to prevail over their own hardships.

Grounded in authentic teaching and learning experiences, this book shows elementary school educators how to create spaces that more respectfully and humanely address the needs of emergent bilinguals with disabilities. While the fields of bilingual education and disability studies have been traditionally kept separate, Martinez-Alvarez argues that many of the constructs researchers and educators employ in their respective fields can be combined to improve instruction. This book establishes a dialogue among important constructs such as issues of assimilation and ableism, and the expansion of identity, agency, and humanistic pedagogies. It then looks at how these constructs can be used to better understand children who have been assigned inflexible labels that do not cohesively represent their bilingual/bicultural identities and their varied ways of learning. The text explores the limitations of categorizing children into "boxes," particularly those of minoritized backgrounds, and focuses on actual practices that will engage and empower learners. Book Features: Combines the fields of bilingual education and disability studies so that bilingual students with disabilities can be understood and taught from a strengths-based perspective. Includes activity invitations to help teachers create high-quality learning spaces. Provides sample work from diverse elementary school-aged children, as well as children's responses to the learning activity. Proposes curriculum to expand what identity and agency look like in schools embracing more humanistic pedagogies.

Worldwide, more parents are opting for immersion pre-schooling for their children in order to benefit from its linguistic, educational, and cultural benefits. This immersion can be either bilingual or monolingual, aimed at early second language learning, or at language maintenance - offering minority language children mother-tongue support and enrichment. This book examines some of the key issues and policy concerns relating to immersion education in the early years. The term itself can be difficult in some political contexts, as can the differing outcomes noted by studies comparing monolingual programmes, and bilingual programmes for minority language children. The importance of training in immersion methodology for educators is discussed, as is the need to adapt preschool pedagogical practices to the immersion context, in order to provide optimal input for young language learners. One of the most pressing discussions surrounds differentiated provision - ensuring that the varying needs of children with language impairment, typical second language learners, and mother-tongue speakers with significant socioeconomic or linguistic disadvantages are all met. Overall, the book explores the challenges currently facing the sector, particularly with regard to training and professional development for practitioners, and the provision of appropriate materials in less widely used languages. Given the documented benefit of high quality immersion pre-schooling, this book fulfils an urgent need to increase the recognition of the sector. This book was published as a special issue of International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism.

Empowered solutions to close the achievement gap start here! This original, solution-oriented guide for school leaders helps to serve children of color, children from low-income families, and other marginalized student groups. Practical implementation strategies and tools assist school leaders to methodically tackle the challenges of equity-driven reform and: Understand the root cause of the racial-achievement gap Take concrete actions to transform the educational process Use daily, real-time data to determine effective teaching and learning practices Includes reflective-discussion questions and case studies. Accelerate the achievement of underserved students with this transformative book!

With the English as Additional Language (EAL) population growing rapidly, it is essential that settings and schools meet individual learner needs and provide an inclusive culture where different languages, cultures and religions are accepted and celebrated. Packed with essential information on key theories and best practice, and written in a highly readable style this book aims to raise awareness of main issues and offer practical support for practitioners working with children with EAL. Covering a wide range of topic such as new arrivals, working with parents, assessment, planning, resourcing, play, communication and language, each chapter clearly lays out the key concepts, ideas and strategies alongside examples of good practice. Encouraging a reflective approach, the book features: Checklists, diagrams, chapter objectives and summaries and suggestions for further reading Case studies to illustrate practice Reflective activities to develop critical thinking Challenging many assumptions and stereotypes about EAL learners, this invaluable text will support students and practitioners in meeting the individual needs of all the children in their care.

It is well known that even after several years' exposure to high-school French, most English Canadians remain unable to speak the language. It is equally well known that many French Canadians are bilingual. One of the more obvious explanations for this relative deficiency on the part of the English Canadian is his lack of opportunities to use the French language in day-to-day situations, and, conversely, the French Canadian's need to know the second language, too often perhaps for economic reasons. Professor Graham's book gives useful and practical suggestions on how to go about becoming fluent in French. It offers not a course of instruction, but a listing of practical ways of applying oneself to a study of the language. There is specific, up-to-date information and advice regarding services provided by the governments of Quebec and France, courses offered in various Canadian communities, clubs and societies, correspondence courses, universities and summer schools, and language laboratories. A feature which will be especially helpful for those in remote areas is the listing of publications (books, newspapers, and periodicals), music and songs, records, films, and radio and television programmes which provide instruction in French. The reader will quickly see that the available means are much more varied than he realizes, and it is in providing this concise, convenient enumeration of them that Professor Graham performs a great service. Any adult who is reasonably proficient in French, but wishes to improve, will find this a practical and useful guide to ways of making a personal contribution to bilingualism in Canada. This study has been prepared under the sponsorship of the Canadian Association for Adult Education.

The way many secondary schools are structured limits the ability of immigrant English Learners to achieve academically and develop social networks, often resulting in hyper-segregated learning experiences. This book explores the journey of a group of teachers in a secondary school as they work to change the ESL program for immigrants in their school. As this group of teachers worked to create a program that supported their students' home languages and "funds of knowledge," structures within the school, and Discourses from other teachers, administrators, and the nation/community both constrained/enabled the teachers to create an equitable learning environment.

This book reports an ethnographic study of thirty teachers from eighteen schools who participated in a staff development programme in multicultural education. The study examines how multicultural education was actually presented to teachers, and areas in which their classroom teaching and perception of students changed over the two-year period.

Although most of the teachers reported learning a good deal, changes in their teaching and their discussions of teaching were fairly limited. After reporting the data, the book examines why changes were limited, analyzing three areas: the nature of staff development and how multicultural education was packaged; the structure of schools as institutions; and the identities and life experiences of teachers as White women, often from working class backgrounds.

Grounded in research on bilingualism and adolescent literacy, this volume provides a much-needed insight into the day-to-day needs of students who are identified as long-term English language learners (LTELs). LTELs are adolescents who are primarily or solely educated in the U.S. and yet remain identified as "learning English" in secondary school. Challenging the deficit perspective that is often applied to their experiences of language learning, Brooks counters incorrect characterizations of LTELs and sheds light on students' strengths to argue that effective literacy education requires looking beyond policy classifications that are often used to guide educational decisions for this population. By combining research, theory, and practice, this book offers a comprehensive analysis of literacy pedagogy to facilitate teacher learning and includes practical takeaways and implications for classroom practice and professional development. Offering a pathway for transforming literacy education for students identified as LTELs, chapters discuss reframing the education of LTELs, academic reading in the classroom, and the bilingualism of students who are labeled LTELs. Transforming Literacy Education for Long-Term English Learners is a much-needed resource for scholars, professors, researchers, and graduate students in language and literacy education, English education, and teacher education, and for those who are looking to create an inclusive and successful classroom environment for LTELs.

Controversy erupted in 1996 when the Oakland Unified School District's 'Ebonics Resolution' proposed an approach to teaching Standard English that recognized the variety of English spoken by African American students. With new demands for accountability driven by the No Child Left Behind policy and its emphasis on high-stakes testing in Standard English, this debate will no doubt rise again. This book seeks to better inform this next episode. In Part 1, leading scholars place the debate within its historical and contemporary context, provide clear explanations of what Ebonics is and is not, and offer practical approaches schools can and should follow to address the linguistic needs of African American students. Part 2 provides original documents that accompanied the debate, including the original resolutions, legislation, organization position papers, and commentary/analyses from leading linguists. This book is written for all those whose work impacts the lives of Ebonics speakers in our public schools.

This is a book about ethnocentric niche charter schools. What are they? When did they first appear? From where did the term come? How do they differ from regular charter schools and from district-run traditional public schools? Each subject chapter was created by a team consisting of at least one educational researcher and at least one charter school practitioner. The goal is to make the book readable for everyone (policymakers, parents, teachers, older students) while providing a framework of rigor from which to view each charter school. Hence: the teams. We took special pains to create a book which exhibits the objectivity of the educational researcher while, at the same time, inviting the reader into each school by painting a human picture of its ethos. Each chapter contains a description of the school told by people who actually taught or learned or sent their children there.

The ability to understand and be understood when communicating with professors and with native speakers is crucial to academic success. Academic Interactions focuses on actual academic speaking events, particularly classroom interactions and office hours, and gives students practice improving the ways that they communicate in a college/university setting. Academic Interactions addresses skills like using names and names of locations correctly on campus, giving directions, understanding instructors and their expectations, interacting during office hours, participating in class and in seminars, and delivering formal and informal presentations. In addition, advice is provided for communicating via email with professors and working in groups with native speakers (including negotiating tasks in groups). The text uses transcripts from MICASE (the Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English) to ensure that students learn the vocabulary and communication strategies that will be most effective in their academic pursuits. Units also feature language use issues like ellipsis, hedging, and apologies. This version is the same as the current edition except it is not packaged with a DVD. Video access sold separately.

Reflective Language Teaching: Practical Applications for TESOL Teachers is an extensively revised and updated second edition of the popular and accessible text Reflective Language Teaching: From Research to Practice originally published in 2008. This fully up-to-date second edition includes: - an expanded preface - updated case studies and new cases throughout that deal with new developments in language teaching and reflective practice - fully updated citations - three brand new chapters, on online reflective practice and teaching young learners, and a new final chapter on developing a 'culture of reflection' As in the first edition, this book outlines strategies for professional development through reflective practice in the language classroom. Accessible and comprehensive, the book presupposes no prior knowledge of linguistics or language teaching, and each chapter includes reflective discussion questions to help the reader apply the strategies and procedures discussed.