Hispanic Education in the United States: Ra'ces y Alas

(Paperback)

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Among the many recent books on educational reform, Eugene E. Garcia's Hispanic Education in the United States stands out as a landmark work. Garcia vibrantly portrays what works in creating better educational opportunities and effective school reform. He also offers a telling reflection on the bicultural experience of minority groups in the U.S. Culture is an asset in any individual's educational attainment. Garcia shows how and why our educational reforms therefore must seek to build upon rather than downplay the native culture and language of minority students. Visit our website for sample chapters!

Reviews

Provides a broad overview of the ongoing debates (language politics, cultural differences and identity, immigrant students, multicultural education, effective instruction and interventions, theories and explanations of failure, and public policy implications) as they apply to Hispanic students in U.S. classrooms. This theoretical and personal 'story' is informative and inspiring reading for those seeking a socially just educational system and society. * Choice Reviews *
Garcia's survey is humane, scholarly, and convincing. * Times Literary Supplement *
Eugene Garcia comprehensively reviews the research literature related to Latinos and education, including themes such as bilingual education policy debates, culture, identity, and the cultural mismatch that often occurs between Latino students and their school experiences. One of the may strengths of the book is Garcia's challenge of theoretical frameworks that account for educational inequity in terms of supposed intellectual and/or cultural shortcomings of Latino children/families. Instead, he presents a thorough review of educational inequities along with multiple instances of Latino educational successes and illustrates the complex circumstances that bring about negative outcomes for many Latino students. Garcia's writing style will be meaningful to a range of audiences, including teachers, teacher educators, and government and non-profit professionals. this is an excellent text for teacher training courses and professional development seminars for educators working in community-based organizations as well as cultural institutions. * Anthropology & Education Quarterly *
A major contribution to the social science literature on minority education in the United States. It represents the summary knowledge of a remarkable man with a remarkable life, someone who is uniquely positioned to illuminate the promises and perils of Hispanic education at the current crossroads. * Contemporary Sociology *
In this comprehensive and well-grounded text, Gene Garcia combines extensive research with personal anecdotes to provide a thoughtful analysis of the complex issues surrounding Hispanic education in the United States. With a reasoned and dignified tone, Garcia presents wide-ranging data, considers current dilemmas, and suggests effective approaches for improving the educational future of Latinos of all backgrounds. This is a book that researchers, teachers, and policymakers will return to again and again for insight, information, and inspiration. -- Sonia Nieto, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Author Bio

This book draws richly from Professor Garcia's experience in Washington D.C., as former director of the U.S. Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs, and his work to improve educational attainment in California schools. He is currently dean and professor in the School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley.