Culturally Responsive Conversations

1IMMIGRATION AND EDUCATION IN THE USA

This chapter provides background on how the goals and means of education have evolved over the history of the United States, moving from the pre-colonial period through the advent of the “common school” and progressive educational movements. We review the ways in which schools have responded to the waves of immigration that created modern America and consider the extent to which the concept of school in the United States both shapes and is shaped by the changing demographics of the student bodies.

This chapter concludes with self-reflective exercises to help educators consider the ways their own experience of school has impacted their views of citizenship, both intentionally and unintentionally. Prompts ...