Student Text: Diverse Histories, Diverse Perspectives (Educational Foundations: Diverse Histories, Diverse Perspectives) - Softcover

"This is an appealing text to me because it humanizes the teaching experience with the use of case studies and the chapters I examined on culture have a deeper understanding of recent research on funds of knowledge and cultural capital." "I love the tone of this book. It is so warm and personal and it starts out that way immediately with the introductory essay to the reader. The tone is sustained throughout. Also, with the biographical information on several leaders in the philosophy section, the philosophy takes on a concrete quality rarely seen in such chapters."

This innovative new program for the Foundations of Education course combines traditional coverage of the history, philosophy, and sociology of education with content for multicultural education courses, examining the wide diversity of classrooms across the US. In addition to blending these important perspectives, the text examines the interrelationship between the history and structure of the American education system, the changing nature of the teaching profession, and the socio-cultural factors influencing education. The author considers foundational themes from a critical theory perspective. Often, preservice teachers lack the basic understanding of why inequities exist in today's schools. They are unaware of the historical events that put a system in place and are not empowered with strategies to address these issues once they enter a classroom. Providing students with this important background information, this text's goal is to enable teachers to help every child fulfill his or her potential.