Multiculturalism In High School Curriculum

Education will most likely have a very significant effect on kids so the origin and composition of such education is extremely important. The curriculum of a child’s education, which typically includes history, literature, art and science, will likely impact the child’s perception of how the world was created, their perception of history and society and shape the way they think and function according to their experiences. Some, such as Neoliberalists believe that the group identity should be held as more important than the individual’s identity. Others, who may be considered Multiculturalist, believe that the group should focus on the individuals within the society. Each of these theories would result in a different form of curriculum and

The article reads, “neoliberal views hold that multiculturalism is a destabilizing force in America and is often seen as advancing victim mentalities by focusing on group identification rather than individuality.” In the educational sense, they believe that one steady set of curriculum for all children is more beneficial in the long run. This was shown through standardized tests that were given. The kids who were given this type of education, where there is one correct answer for most questions, performed better in terms of scores than those who were not given this type of education. Hirsh argues that a common core curriculum forms a sense of group identity and promotes loyalty to such group. In addition, they believe that it is constructive to provide children with one specific topic and a single viewpoint on that topic. When they become more mature and developed, then it is appropriate to introduce new perspectives to a topic because they will be able to handle it properly then. “For Neoliberals, the idea of promoting multiple histories and perspectives as truth threatens the status quo and the idea of a slow

This theory tend to put the focus on the individuals that compose the group and each individual background regarding morals, values, beliefs and religions. In regards to education, this theory would provide the kids with a broader way of thinking. Instead of having one correct answer to a question, they are open to all answers that may stem from children of different histories than those of the dominant group. Some say, “Multiculturalism, therefore represents a threat to individual liberty, a loss of understanding involving citizenship, and a threat to democracy.” By focusing on each individual, those against this theory find that citizenship, or the status of being a legal part of a society, and democracy, or a system of government by population or those eligible, typically through representatives that have been elected, will have the potential to be destroyed. This form of education would allow the children to become aware and respectful of outside ideas other than those present in their personal life. The article used a word called Global inclusion which demands that people look beyond the normal boundaries and some have using theories such as decolonization theories, Red pedagogy, critical race theory, and critical disability theory. Some are against this idea saying, ““multiculturalism” in conjunction with terms such as