Core Knowledge versus Multicultural Education

KEVIN: I have very mixed feelings about the cultural literacy and core knowledge movement.

JIM: How so?

KEVIN: I agree that the country and its people need a common identity, a sense of who we are as Americans. But don't you remember how narrow the curriculum was before the seventies, when minority history and literature started appearing in textbooks? I don't want to go back to those days.

JIM: I know what you mean. Before the seventies, students weren't able to read about African American scientists, or Hispanic authors, or women athletes, for that matter. But maybe we've gone too far. It's hard to communicate with somebody who isn't acquainted with the basics of America's history, literature, music, inventions, sports-what makes America America.

KEVIN: OK. But isn't part of "what makes America America" its interweaving of diverse cultures? After all, wouldn't life in America be different without tacos and Crispus Attucks and LeRoi Jones and Kate Chopin and . . .

JIM: We agreed, though, that the schools can't teach everything. Besides, I think that Hirsch's core curriculum does reflect contributions to our common culture from different minority groups, and since it is designed to be only 50 percent of the curriculum, lots of flexibility is left to meet local needs. Also, Hirsch's core knowledge curriculum is geared only through the eighth grade. After that, students should be free to pursue different interests and courses. So maybe a core curriculum ought to be in effect through the middle grades.

KEVIN: Good point!

For more information on this topic, visit these web sites, then reflect on the questions that follow.

Web Links

Center for Multilingual Multicultural Research
You can find research and links to many Internet resources on a variety of multicultural education topics at the web site for this center.

Multicultural Pavilion
This award-winning site from the University of Virginia offers a variety of ideas for multicultural lessons and activities and includes a reading list.

Core Knowledge Foundation
Find out more about the Core Knowledge movement at this web site.

For Further Reflection

1. What do feel should be at the core of American public education?
   
   
2. Do you agree with Kevin's proposal that teachers and schools should concentrate on helping students develop a common basis of knowledge in the early years of school, letting students explore diverse topics only when they are older? Why or why not?