Education that is MultiCultural
The Education That Is Multicultural Regulations, passed in 1994, provide goals
and guidelines for each local school system to achieve education that is multicultural
for all students. The Education That Is Multicultural goals focus on curriculum,
instruction, instructional resources, staff development, and climate. The curriculum
and instruction goals address teaching multicultural content in all subject areas
and providing instruction that meets the needs of all students. Students should also
be able to learn about their own cultural heritage and be able to see their cultural
heritage reflected in the curriculum. Instructional resources should be inclusive of
diverse groups of people and free of bias and prejudices. The school must maintain an
inviting climate for all students, their families, and the community at large.
The regulations further address the need to provide appropriate staff development
to implement these goals.
The assurance of success for all students is dependent upon the quality and equity of
educational services. Educators, knowledgeable on issues relevant to the diversity of
students, are fundamental to ensuring the implementation of effective educational programs.
These programs should help prepare students academically and socially to participate
successfully in a diverse society.
The regulations identify diversity factors to be included in education that is
multicultural as age, ethnicity, gender, language, physical abilities, race, region,
religion, and socioeconomic status. Education must be more inclusive of the many
diverse groups of people that form our nation. It is hoped that such instruction will
better enable students to demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of
diverse cultural groups in the community, state, nation, and world. Such knowledge of
diversity can offer our students an understanding of what each culture has to offer
to the world community while recognizing the commonalties between each culture. This
knowledge will assist students to be able to make decisions on important personal and
social issues, take action to resolve them, and be prepared for effective participation
in the culturally diverse world of the 21st century.
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