As a reviewer of middle level schools, their programs, policies, curricula, mission statements, instructional behaviors, assessment processes, and student-oriented community the author offers observations that can promote better student equity. He suggests: (1) "Producing Equity Belief Statements." Mission, Equity, or Inclusion…

The past 50 years have witnessed a growing presence of critical theory within different social science academic departments across the western world. The joint existence of a theory committed to exposing and criticizing various inequalities of the social order within academic institutions based on traditional hierarchies and prestigious…

In 2016, the Main Editors of "Dialogic Pedagogy Journal" issued a call for papers and contributions to a wide range of dialogic pedagogy scholars and practitioners. One of the scholars who responded to our call is famous American educator Ira Shor, a professor at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. Shor has been…

While the research, theory and policy literature on race, class and gender discrimination in education is extensive, the problem of education-based discrimination itself has been widely overlooked. Indeed, the dominant ideologies of meritocracy and human capital (into which we are inculcated throughout our lives by schools, media and the state)…

Principals' leadership is crucial to urban schools' attaining goals of equity and excellence. Suggests that principals commit their schools to the belief that every child can learn, communicate this vision, put it into action, and be an example and resource for staff and students. (CJS)

Without recognizing "other voices," outdoor adventure is impoverished through its domination by a white male ethos. Quality research is needed that examines the praxis of outdoor adventure as well as philosophies and ideologies that underpin its practices. By going beyond ethnocentric and androcentric notions of power and empowerment, outdoor…

Examines potential ways to view bilingual education in a more liberatory perspective. Summarizes the global, historical context of bilingual education, and outlines principles and features of six models of formal bilingual education. Discusses how language use in school can empower or disable language minority students. Views bilingualism as a…

A multi-centric model of education is proposed that actively works to de-center dominant Eurocentric knowledge and incorporate other worldviews throughout all aspects of teaching and learning. The model has four primary learning objectives: integrating multiple centers of knowledge, affecting social and educational change, recognizing and…

At the beginning of the 1990s, education in South Africa was in turmoil and experienced a major crisis. Adding to the crisis were problems such as major inequalities in South African society where the majority of people were marginalized and forced to live in a disenfranchised society. Educational change was required to provide equity in terms of…

This book about widening educational participation draws on an ethnographic study of 23 students returning to learning through access courses provided at their local further education college in suburban England. Chapter 1 explains how certain poststructural concepts (discourse, hegemony, deconstruction, and subjectivity) are used as analytical…

This article discusses the discrimination faced by minority youth with disabilities. Federal legislation promoting equality of opportunity for all students is reviewed and the lack of true educational equality is lamented. The article emphasizes the need to prepare minority youth with disabilities as they transition into adults. (Contains…

This commentary summarizes four major themes emerging from this special issue: (a) Consultation with nonmainstream families involves empowering parents to navigate the public education system, integrating cultural considerations into consultation and intervention, and educating families and school personnel; (b) a participatory process that brings…

Ira Shor discusses the need for democratic education that develops critical, active citizens. Teachers practicing democratic education, characterized by student-centered instruction, power sharing, and collaborative and active learning, find themselves working against the public-school system, a bureaucracy controlled from the top down. Teachers…

Interview with Barbara Jackson, who has served as principal of the William Monroe Trotter Elementary School in the Roxbury section of Boston for the past 13 years and who is a strong supporter of parental choice and educational equity. The interview reveals some of her strategies for trying to empower parents. (BJV)

Interviews Ira Shor, who discusses the meaning of liberation education, the political nature of education, teacher education, and problems and possibilities associated with liberation education. (MG)