ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to argue that multicultural education has made and continues to make a major contribution to theories that frame the educational discourse and educational practices that are applied from pre-kindergarten through college in the United States. First, I examine the evolution of multicultural education as a theory that can be used as a lens for understanding the successes or failure of the public school system in the United States to educate all students in a manner that respects their individual backgrounds while preparing them for full participation in society. Second, I argue that the ongoing evolution of multicultural education has contributed and continues to contribute significantly to education theory and practice. In order to make my argument I will draw on the literature within the field of education (e.g., teacher education, educational policy), but will also borrow from the social and political science literature, both from within and outside of the United States. To begin, however, I will define and clarify the terms I will be using.
