In this fourth edition of her best-selling book Affirming Diversity: The Sociopolitical Context of Multicultural Education, renowned scholar Sonia Nieto explores the meaning, necessity, and benefits of multicultural education for students of all backgrounds. Intended for preservice and in-service teachers and educators, this book looks at how personal, social, political, cultural, and educational factors affect the success or failure of students in today's classroom. Expanding upon the popular case-study approach, the fourth edition also examines the lives of 18 real students who are affected by multicultural education, or a lack of it. Topics include racial, linguistic, religious, cultural, and sexual diversity. Social justice is firmly embedded in this view of multicultural education, and teachers are encouraged to work for social change in their classrooms, schools, and communities.

Table of Contents:
Most chapters conclude with “Summary,” “To Think About,” “Activities for Personal, School, and Community Change,” “Case Studies,” and “Notes.” What's New in the Fourth Edition? Acknowledgments. Teaching Well in Difficult Times. Introduction. I. SETTING THE STAGE: APPROACHES AND DEFINITIONS. 1. Why the Case Study Approach? Defining the Case Study Approach. Challenging Stereotypes. Case Studies and Snapshots: A Mosaic of Students in U.S. Schools. Selection of Students. Researching and Developing the Case Studies and Snapshots. Academic Success and Failure. Placement and Brief Description of the Case Studies and Snapshots. Learning from the Case Studies and Snapshots. Guidelines for Developing Case Studies. 2. About Terminology. Making Choices About What Terms to Use. Lumping Groups Together. Conclusion. II. MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION IN A SOCIOPOLITICAL CONTEXT: DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK. 3. Racism, Discrimination, and Expectations of Students' Achievement. Definitions of Racism and Discrimination. The History and Persistence of Racism in U.S. Schools. Manifestations of Racism and Discrimination in Schools. Snapshot Kaval Sethi. 4. Structural and Organizational Issues in Schools. Tracking. Retention. Standardized Testing. The Curriculum. Pedagogy. Physical Structure. Disciplinary Policies. Limited Role of Students. Limited Role of Teachers. Limited Family and Community Involvement. 5. Culture, Identity, and Learning. Learning Styles and Preferences. Communication Style. Cultural Discontinuities and School Achievements. Culture-Specific Educational Accommodations. A Critical Appraisal of Culture-Specific Accommodations. Glossary of LGBT Terms. 6. Linguistic Diversity in U.S. Classrooms. Linguistic Diversity in U.S. Schools: A Brief Overview and History. Linguistic Diversity and Learning. Snapshot: Liane Chang. Language Diversity and the Case for Bilingual Education. Why the Controversy Over Bilingual Education? Promising Practices for Language Minority Students. 7. Toward and Understanding of School Achievement. Deficit Theories Revisited. Economic and Social Reproduction Revisited. Cultural Incompatibilities Revisited. The Immigrant Experience Versus the "Minority" Experience. Newer Perspectives About the Immigrant and "Minority" Experiences. Resistance Theory. Care. Developing a Comprehensive Understanding of Student Learning. 8. Learning From Students. The Meaning of Success. Pride and Conflict in Culture. Conflict and Ambivalence. Self-Identification and Conflict. Snapshot: Gamini Padmaperuma. Beyond Academics. Family, Community, and School Environments for Success. 9. Multicultural Education and School Reform. A Definition of Multicultural Education. 10. Affirming Diversity: Implications for Teachers, Schools, and Families. Lessons From Students: Maintaining and Affirming Pride in Culture. Snapshot: David Weiss. Support Beyond Academics. Developing Environments for Success. Expanding Definitions: What It Means to Be American. Levels of Multicultural Education and Support. 11. Multicultural Education in Practice. Problem Posing: Reconsidering School Policies and Practices in a Multicultural Context. Countering Racism, Discrimination, and Low Expectations. Changing Schools: Restructure and Renewal. Respecting and Affirming Cultural Differences. Linguistic Diversity as a Resource. Epilogue. Appendix. Glossary. Bibliography. Index. About the Author. Art Credits. LIST OF CASE STUDIES.