Academic Criteria for Conceptualizing Multiethnic and Multicultural Literature Programs in American Schools / Sandra Stotsky.

The major purposes of multiethnic and multicultural literature programs in United States' schools are to develop students' knowledge of and respect for the religious, racial, and ethnic diversity of U.S. citizens; and to enhance students' familiarity with and appreciation of the literary traditions of other peoples of the world. The selection of literary texts for programs designed to introduce American students to other ethnic groups, cultures, or peoples should reflect the principles of inclusiveness and avoidance of stereotype formation. Such goals can be achieved through techniques such as offering works by or about members of other ethnic groups, showing how indigenous cultures differed in relating to their neighbors and environments, featuring varied aspects of the immigrant experience, etc. In integrating multicultural and multiethnic literature into the curriculum, it is necessary to ask at the local level: (1) who decides what ethnic groups and cultures to present? (2) what criteria should determine what should be eliminated? (3) what local considerations should be kept in mind? and (4) how can the civic mission of the schools be achieved? It is important to keep in mind, however, that in selecting particular works, others are automatically excluded. It may be useful to have communities decide through the political process whether they support a multiethnic literature course or a curricular strand distinct from mainstream literature. (One appendix containing a sampling of works about the American ethnic experience and a list of 22 references are attached.) (SG)

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