Standing Together

American Indian Education as Culturally Responsive Pedagogy

By (author) Beverly J. Klug

Publication date:

28 November 2012

Length of book:

220 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

261x187mm
7x10"

ISBN-13: 9781610487856

The majority of American Indian students attend public schools in the United States. However, education mandated for American Indian students since the 1800s has been primarily education for assimilation, with the goal of eliminating American Indian cultures and languages. Indeed, extreme measures were taken to ensure Native students would “act white” as a result of their involvement with Western education. Today’s educational mandates continue a hegemonic “one-size-fits-all” approach to education. This is in spite of evidence that these approaches have rarely worked for Native students and have been extremely detrimental to Native communities.
This book provides information about the importance of teaching American Indian students by bridging home and schools, using students’ cultural capital as a springboard for academic success. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy is explored from its earliest beginnings following the 1928 Meriam Report. Successful education of Native students depends on all involved and respect for the voices of American Indians in calling for education that holds high expectations for native students and allows them to be grounded in their cultures and languages.
The importance of knowledge about our educational and cultural history is critical in this time of increasing diversity in the United States. The depth of the study and the rigor of thought in this volume is impressive and the use of the volume by teachers, teacher educators, and policy makers will be a benefit to all children and their families. The role of the American Indian population in our self-examination and reflection is critical.