Parents as Partners in Education, Eighth Edition, is uniquely the most comprehensive book on the market covering the history of family/school collaboration, current issues and population trends affecting American schools and communities, diverse family structures, and techniques for establishing connections with parents and encouraging involvement with their child's learning. Based on the notion of funds of knowledge, the knowledge that children acquire from their families, this best-selling textbook helps the reader differentiate between culture and diversity as they relate to culturally and linguistically diverse families. This edition, with a new co-author, emphasizes on understanding families' funds of knowledge, discusses culturally relevant pedagogy to work with families and children, particularly those who are English language learners and/or immigrants, and provides an expanded section on working with families who have children with autism. A special focus on culturally and linguistically diverse children with special needs is a remarkable aspect of the book. Key additions and changes to this edition include: * more practical ideas and tips for teachers on how to work with culturally and linguistically diverse children and their families in a classroom setting; * applicable information on how to build parent involvement programs; * strategies for working with culturally diverse students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families; * emphasis on the value of pre-school and pre-K programs * methods for working with English Language Learners and their families, including a section on second language acquisition. Rooted in the premise that once educators understand the value of families for healthy development they can begin to create strong partnerships to assist children in successful experiences in school. Parents as Partners in Education: Families and Schools Working Together, Eighth Edition will be a key component to teachers gaining this knowledge and using it in the classroom for the betterment of all children and their families.

How do we begin to understand diversity in early childhood in order to combat biases? There are many layers of diversity within families that are important to examine. We must consider ethnic diversity first and foremost as we engage in a conversation regarding diversity, as we know (or should know) the history of people of color in the US and the challenges and adversities that we have experienced. In the context of this book, understanding diversity begins with positioning a definition that encompasses the realities of many families particularly across the US such as immigration status, gender, family structure, sexual identity, class, and spiritual beliefs. We also see the importance to talking about race within the context of early childhood.

Diversifying Pedagogy in Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs presents the underlying message of situating diversity at the core of early childhood programs. As such, faculty must first examine the practices that are at the center of each program. Of importance is for preservice teachers to know and understand the history, injustices, and struggles that communities of color endure. In order to increase that understanding, faculty who teach in teacher preparation programs must take the lead and discover ways to best reach preservice teachers which may take a shift in beliefs. This book presents examples of faculty taking the lead to help preservice teachers understand the social injustices in aspects of early childhood education. This move can lead to highly qualified early childhood teachers.

How do we begin to understand diversity in early childhood in order to combat biases? There are many layers of diversity within families that are important to examine. We must consider ethnic diversity first and foremost as we engage in a conversation regarding diversity, as we know (or should know) the history of people of color in the US and the challenges and adversities that we have experienced. In the context of this book, understanding diversity begins with positioning a definition that encompasses the realities of many families particularly across the US such as immigration status, gender, family structure, sexual identity, class, and spiritual beliefs. We also see the importance to talking about race within the context of early childhood.

Diversifying Pedagogy in Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs presents the underlying message of situating diversity at the core of early childhood programs. As such, faculty must first examine the practices that are at the center of each program. Of importance is for preservice teachers to know and understand the history, injustices, and struggles that communities of color endure. In order to increase that understanding, faculty who teach in teacher preparation programs must take the lead and discover ways to best reach preservice teachers which may take a shift in beliefs. This book presents examples of faculty taking the lead to help preservice teachers understand the social injustices in aspects of early childhood education. This move can lead to highly qualified early childhood teachers.