Pluralism in Education

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Pluralism in Education Tracy Owens Georgia Highlands College Abstract Two major theories in education are assimilation and pluralism. Pluralism focuses on cultural, racial and diverse differences and learning from the differences between students. Assimilation focuses on a standardization of students. Academics are the main focus with a heavy emphasis on standardized testing. I have chosen the theory of pluralism; it allows academic freedom to embrace the diversity of my future students and creates an environment where differences are respected versus neglected. Pluralism in Education Education in the United States has two major theories, assimilation and pluralism. Assimilation has been the most popular choice in American classrooms; however with a renewed focus on diversity pluralism may become the classroom of the future. Assimilation focuses on standardizing students very early in education. Another term often associated with assimilation is “Americanizing” students who are racially, culturally, and ethnically different. Students in an assimilation setting are encouraged to become like the other students in the class, school and community. Assimilation has good intentions and focuses on strict academic criteria, however there are many students who do not fit the mold of the assimilated classroom. Pluralism allows for an environment that encourages the differences in race, culture and ethnicity to create a classroom that shares and learns from each other. Students with disabilities also benefit from a pluralism setting because students are encouraged to accept and respect differences. Pluralism also has academic criteria but is taught in a less restrictive environment. I would model my classroom on the pluralism theory for several reasons. Diversity is a very large part of our society, many of my future students could come from different
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