Multicultural Education and Diversity in US Schools Flashcards

James Banks identified five dimensions of multicultural education. Which dimension involves changing the entire school culture to reflect diversity?

Answer: An empowering school culture and social structure

Banks' fifth dimension, 'empowering school culture,' addresses restructuring the entire school environment—grouping practices, staff attitudes, curriculum—to empower all students equally.

Culturally responsive teaching, as described by Gloria Ladson-Billings, is characterized by:

Answer: Using students' cultural backgrounds as a bridge to academic content and developing critical consciousness

Ladson-Billings' culturally relevant pedagogy uses students' cultural references to transmit knowledge, develop academic skills, and foster critical perspectives on society.

Which term describes the process by which immigrant students and families gradually adopt the dominant culture while losing aspects of their heritage culture?

Answer: Assimilation

Assimilation involves immigrants adopting the values, language, and norms of the dominant culture, often at the expense of their heritage culture and identity.

English Language Learner (ELL) students in US schools who receive instruction maintaining and developing their home language alongside English are in a:

Answer: Dual language or bilingual education program

Dual language and bilingual programs develop academic skills in students' home language while simultaneously developing English, aiming for proficiency in both languages.

The term 'achievement gap' in US education most commonly refers to:

Answer: Disparities in academic performance between groups defined by race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status

The achievement gap describes persistent disparities in standardized test scores, graduation rates, and academic outcomes between white students and Black, Latino, and low-income students.

Which of the following best describes 'implicit bias' in the educational context?

Answer: Unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that affect teachers' decisions and interactions with students

Implicit bias refers to unconscious mental associations that can affect teacher expectations, disciplinary decisions, and classroom interactions in ways that disadvantage minority students even without conscious intent.