Loss of Language and Culture – Education and Power Series

Abstract

This forum serves as a platform for a deep dive into the intricate relationship between our education system, multiculturalism, multilingualism, and cultural identities, and the notion of success. Our forum centers on the question of how might a community support multilingual, multicultural, and multigenerational learning and academic success. Through community discussions about the differences a multilingual and multicultural education may generate, we hope to foster an open mind about students’ educational possibilities as learners and foster a sense of belonging within the classroom. Additionally, we’ll explore strategies for integrating culturally relevant pedagogy into classrooms, aiming to create more inclusive and effective learning environments.

Throughout the discussions, we’ll scrutinize the roles of key decision-makers, including policymakers and educators, in shaping educational policies and practices. We will also talk about ways of resistance, which can come from parents and students, when such type of education isn’t offered. The overarching aim of this forum is to foster intergenerational community dialogue around ways of fighting cultural and academic standardization, to enhance our educational systems for all learners.

Forum Details:

When: March 27th

Time: 5:30-6:40pm

Where: Olin Rice Smail Gallery – Macalester College (Saint Paul, MN)

Background Statement

In our current educational system, a student’s educational success has long been measured through test scores and overall academic performance. Many colleges require SAT scores to be considered for admission, and most schools get their funding based on their student’s test performance. Historically, educational policies such as the No Child Left Behind Act penalized schools based on low academic performance, rather than focusing on the educational access disparities already present in school districts. In this context, it is to be wondered what can a multicultural and multilingual education bring to an educational system that values academic success over holistic educational outcomes. Even though the U.S is an incredibly multicultural country, time and time again student’s report how they have been forced to leave their home languages behind for a standardized English education that asks them to leave their culture behind and assimilate to the so called “American culture”. On the contrary, a multicultural and multilingual education recognizes that children not only learn from school, but from their families, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences.

Audience Statement

We hope our forum can help bring to the surface the experiences of students whose narratives and values are continually overlooked and erased in the traditional educational system. We also hope to open an avenue for open and meaningful dialogues among students, educators, and parents, through which a reimagination of educational possibilities and reconsideration of educational practices and policies can emerge.

Key Takeaways

At the end of our Education and Power forum, we hope participants will leave with a profound shift in perspective, delving into the relationship between our education system, multiculturalism, multilingualism and cultural identities. Students will feel a stronger sense of belonging, recognizing the value of preserving their cultural roots. We aim to make all attendees feel empowered with actionable insights to actively contribute to the multilingual, multicultural, and multigenerational learning journeys of our children. We aspire to cultivate a community where diverse paths to success are celebrated, challenging conventional notions, and fostering a collective commitment to shaping a more inclusive and enriched educational experience.

Recommended Readings

Power, Politics, and Preservation of Heritage Languages

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED609455.pdf