Deck 1: Multicultural Education

Question 1

Examine how you and your co-workers can improve or change your views on the cultural beliefs/ideas of others in order to broaden your own understandings and the ways in which such understandings will translate to all whom you teach and work with on a daily basis.

Answer 1

As a team, we can improve or change our views on the cultural beliefs and ideas of others by actively seeking out opportunities to learn from different perspectives. This can include engaging in open and honest discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, reading literature and articles that offer insights into different cultures, and participating in cultural events or activities. By actively seeking out these opportunities, we can broaden our understanding of the world and develop a greater appreciation for the diversity that exists within our community.

By broadening our own understanding of cultural beliefs and ideas, we can then translate this knowledge to those whom we teach and work with on a daily basis. This can be done through incorporating diverse perspectives into our curriculum, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals, and actively addressing and challenging any stereotypes or biases that may exist within our workplace. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all, and ultimately foster a greater sense of understanding and empathy among our team and those we interact with on a daily basis.

Question 2

If a group of parents came to you, as an educator, and stated that they did not want your trying to change their children's attitudes/beliefs about a culturally different group in the classroom, how would you respond? Explain.

Answer 2

I would start by acknowledging the concerns of the parents and expressing my understanding of their desire to protect their children's beliefs and attitudes. I would then explain that as an educator, my goal is not to change their children's beliefs, but rather to provide them with a well-rounded education that includes an understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

I would emphasize that teaching about different cultures is not about changing beliefs, but about promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. I would assure the parents that I would approach the topic with sensitivity and provide opportunities for open dialogue and understanding.

I would also offer to involve the parents in the classroom discussions and activities related to the culturally different group, so that they can see firsthand the approach and have the opportunity to provide input.

Overall, my response would be focused on reassurance, open communication, and collaboration with the parents to address their concerns while still fulfilling my responsibility as an educator to promote cultural understanding and acceptance.

Question 3

Discuss the concept of "social justice". What implications does it have for teachers and learners, white and non-white?

Answer 3

The concept of social justice refers to the idea of fair and equitable treatment for all members of society, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other identity markers. It encompasses the belief that all individuals deserve equal access to resources, opportunities, and rights, and that systemic barriers to equality and fairness should be actively dismantled.

For teachers, the concept of social justice has significant implications. It requires educators to critically examine their own biases and privilege, and to actively work towards creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students. This may involve implementing diverse and culturally responsive curricula, promoting an anti-bias and anti-racist approach to teaching, and advocating for policies and practices that address the needs of marginalized students. Teachers must also be willing to engage in difficult conversations about race, privilege, and oppression, and to actively challenge discriminatory attitudes and behaviors within their schools and communities.

For learners, social justice means being exposed to a curriculum that reflects diverse perspectives and experiences, and being supported in their efforts to critically analyze and challenge systems of inequality. It also means feeling safe and valued in their school environments, and having access to the support and resources they need to thrive academically and socially.

The implications of social justice for white and non-white individuals differ in significant ways. For white individuals, it requires acknowledging and addressing the ways in which they benefit from systemic privilege, and actively working to dismantle systems of oppression. This may involve listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals, educating themselves about the impact of racism and other forms of discrimination, and actively advocating for change within their spheres of influence.

For non-white individuals, social justice means having their experiences and perspectives valued and respected, and having access to the same opportunities and resources as their white peers. It also means being able to navigate educational spaces without fear of discrimination or marginalization, and having their cultural identities and histories reflected and celebrated within the curriculum.

Overall, the concept of social justice requires a commitment to challenging inequality and working towards a more equitable and inclusive society, both within educational settings and beyond. It requires all individuals, regardless of their race or background, to actively engage in the work of promoting fairness, dignity, and respect for all.

Question 4

Discuss some of the misconceptions and sources of resistance pertaining to multicultural education. How can these misconceptions be dispelled?

Question 5

Discuss how educators can help reduce the effects of racism. How can beliefs/attitudes be changed in a more positive direction? Think about your own beliefs/biases and how have they changed in recent years. What seems to be most effective in reducing your own prejudices?

Question 6

Sustaining integrity and dignity for students and teachers is a basic foundation for an effective multicultural education program. Which of the following enhance such a program?

A) skills in analysis and critical thinking
B) curricular materials which are similar for all learners
C) materials designed to improve self-concept, create and maintain interest
D) all of the above
E) a and c only

Question 7

Multicultural education is both a concept and a targeted process designed to:

A) teach that all learners share essentially the same cultural background
B) teach learners to recognize, accept, and appreciate differences in culture, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, religion, special needs, and gender
C) create a curriculum that denies cultural differences
D) increase racial tension to promote change
E) lessen concern over Multicultural-Education-Week

Question 8

Which of the following forces contributed to the outgrowth of the multicultural education movement?

A) mass immigrations to the U.S.
B) critical analysis of school textbooks
C) the coming of age of the Civil Rights Movement
D) positive perspective of the assumptions underlying the deficiency orientation
E) all of the above

Question 9

In preparation for a multicultural education program, educators should develop multicultural skills that include the following three attributes:

A) attitudes, skills, and empathy
B) skills, knowledge, and foreign language proficiency
C) attitudes, knowledge, and skills
D) knowledge, language skills, and attitudes
E) empathy, knowledge, and social justice ideals

Question 10

Some of the characteristics of social justice include:

A) educators transform the school culture through policies and practices
B) educators deemphasize inclusion
C) educators view social justice as both a process and a goal
D) all of the above
E) a and c only

Question 11

The effective multicultural educator possesses which of the following attributes?

A) appropriate recognition and responses to learners' strengths and weaknesses
B) positive attitudes and values
C) an understanding of the different cultures of learners
D) all of the above
E) a and b only

Question 12

When planning multicultural programs, educators should:

A) consider a narrow approach that targets only part of the curriculum
B) direct attention to past wrongs of discrimination, but focus on respect and acceptance
C) maintain the idea that programs that have previously shown results should not be changed
D) address the ethnocentrism of only the learners
E) ignore criticism of multicultural programs

Question 13

Teaching about different ethnic and cultural groups may best be described as:

A) broad-based teaching
B) only a concern for minority learners
C) ethnic studies
D) homogeneous grouping
E) none of the above

Question 14

Many misconceptions exist about multicultural education and include:

A) that schools can create unity by assimilation
B) such education is an entitlement program
C) that it is in opposition to Western tradition
D) its goal is to eradicate ethnicity and diversity
E) all of the above

Question 15

Multicultural Education of Children and Adolescents is based on several assumptions which are a part of its philosophy. Which assumptions speak to the authors' philosophy?

A) cultural diversity is an enrichment of society
B) a "one-course" approach is sufficient for developing a positive multicultural education program
C) our society will increase in growing numbers of diverse groups; therefore, we need to prepare ourselves and especially our learners for this challenging and enriching experience
D) multicultural education primarily benefits minority students
E) a and c only

Question 16

Viewing differences, customs, traditions, and beliefs as positive and worthy of celebration will enrich our nation.

Question 17

By displaying on a classroom bulletin board all male students who have achieved high academic scores in math, a teacher will be recognized as an excellent role model in gender equity.

Question 18

Multicultural education should be targeted first toward African Americans.

Question 19

It is best to implement a multicultural education program with a narrow focus on only issues of gender and class.

Question 20

Developing "awareness"will help to ensure acceptance and respect for the differences of others.

Question 21

Children and adolescents should be taught that they have a single cultural identity of which they can feel proud.

Question 22

Because the majority of people finally understand racism and how it affects people, teachers can expect racism to be eliminated in the twenty-first century.

Question 23

Past events of racism will not benefit multicultural education as much as providing a driving force toward changing the future.

Question 24

Repressing one's cultural identity is a stepping-stone for achieving success.

Question 25

Because multicultural education is such a controversial subject, one might wish to delay discussing it with parents.