Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education
- James A. Banks - University of Washington, USA
The diversity education literature, both nationally and internationally, is broad and diffuse. Consequently, there needs to be a systematic and logical way to organize and present the state of research for students and professionals. American citizens need to understand the dynamics of their increasingly diverse communities and institutions and the global world in which we live, work, and lead. With continually evolving information on diversity policies, practices, and programs, it is important to have one place where students, scholars, teachers, and policymakers can examine and explore research, policy, and practice issues and find answers to important questions about how diversity in U.S. education—enriched with theories, research and practices in other nations—are explained and communicated, and how they affect institutional change at both the K-12 and postsecondary levels.
With about 700 signed entries with cross-references and recommended readings, the Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education (4 volumes, in both print and electronic formats) will present research and statistics, case studies, and best practices, policies, and programs at pre- and postsecondary levels. Diversity is a worldwide phenomenon, and while most of the entries in the Encyclopedia will focus on the United States, diversity issues and developments in nations around the world, including the United States, are intricately connected. Consequently, to illuminate the many aspects of diversity, this volume will contain entries from different nations in the world in order to illuminate the myriad aspects of diversity. From A-to-Z, this Encyclopedia will cover the full spectrum of diversity issues, including race, class, gender, religion, language, exceptionality, and the global dimensions of diversity as they relate to education. This four-volume reference work will be the definitive reference for diversity issues in education in the United States and the world.
"A trawl through this impressive work confirms that it is truly encyclopaedic in both its authoritativeness and in its comprehensiveness of topics and geographic reach...With its remarkable currency...its scholarliness, its scope and accessibility, and its wealth of references, cross-references and recommended reading, no university can afford to be without the online version"
"Well written and feature-rich (reader's guide, chronology, sidebar articles), and the only recent work of its kind, this set will work in large public libraries and is highly recommended for academic collections, especially those that support teacher training programs."
The Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education is scholarly, comprehensive; and worthy of its topic. Providing both definition and background to such a complex and important area of study is no easy matter, and the success of this effort is a tribute to everyone involved. Academic libraries are the prime audience for this encyclopedia but given the interest in educational diversity in some areas of the country, there may be larger public libraries that will find this title of value.
This landmark study serves both as a history of where we've been and a road map to where we need to be.
The Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education should be a standard acquisition for every library and be on the shelves of scholars, researchers, professional developers and educators in general.
"...the entries in the Encyclopedia of Diversity in Education are not only informative and thought provoking, but also extend the basic parameters of diversity in multicultural education. ...Overall, the compelling articles written for the Encyclopedia by eminent scholars from around the globe affirm, in our opinion, the legitimacy of the fields of multiculturalism and multicultural education. ...It is our sincere professional belief that this par exellence work is a must-needed resource for every educational institution, governmental and non-profit agency, corporation, community advocacy organization, legislative body, and military branch in order to support our global community in continuing to learn about the vast field that is multiculturalism/multicultural education."
