Lourdes Diaz Soto

Gaile Sloan Cannella

For the past 20 years, a range of scholars, educators, and cultural workers have examined dominant discourses of «childhood» using critical, feminist, and other postmodern perspectives. Located in a variety of disciplines, these poststructural, deconstructive, and even postcolonial critiques have challenged everything from notions of the universal child, to adult/child dualisms, to deterministic developmental theory. The purpose of this volume is to acknowledge the profound contributions of that large body of literature, while demonstrating the ways that critical analyses can be used to generate avenues/actions that increase possibilities for social justice for those who are younger while, at the same time, avoiding determinism. In this time of globalization, hyper-capitalism, and discourses that would control and disqualify through constructions like accountability, we believe that projects such as this are of utmost importance. The volume is divided into four major sections to reflect the multiplicity of human voices and perspectives (section I), contemporary circumstances and dominant discourses within which we all attempt to function (sections II and III), and the generation of new possibilities for constructing relationships together (section IV). Finally, a voice from the «heart» within a «reconceptualist» social science agenda for early childhood studies is presented.

A Handbook

Childhoods

Latinos in the United States have fought hard to attain equality, especially in the field of education. This set of books focuses on the fight for equal educational access. The contributors reveal that many Latino children still face decades-old challenges. In addition to such obstacles as cultural conflicts and racism, they also face teachers, curricula, and assessments that are not always respectful to their backgrounds.

The Praeger Handbook of Latino Education in the U.S.

Provides insights into the impact that eliminating bilingual education programs has on the lives of families and communities. Persuasively argues that linguistic repression is an unwise language policy for a democratic nation.

Bilingual Families and the Struggle for Quality Education

Language, Culture, and Power

Presents information on the state of education for Latinos in the United States. Aims to provide an overview and a comprehensive understanding of issues. Topics discussed include academic achievement, Americanization, bilingual education, border crossing, higher education, reform and policy, subjects relating to teaching and learning English, and equity. Demographic tables are presented in the appendix.

As the conservative political mood of our nation eliminates programs for the increasing numbers of bilingual children, educators are nevertheless expected to teach linguistically and culturally diverse learners with limited background knowledge and resources. This edited volume challenges "mainstream" educators to critically examine how to best meet the needs of bilingual/bicultural children in contemporary America.

Lourdes Diaz Soto

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