Adjusting curriculum to reflect the point of view of a particular group can appeal to learning styles from different cultures and help uncover inherent biases that can inhibit multicultural students from taking in and retaining information. You can change curriculum to include celebrations and notable persons from other cultures, making information on other cultures a regular part of classwork and not a special occurrence. Spotlighting inequities and social conflicts in order to encourage dialog in class also helps.
Multicultural student organizations can help make the transition to a new learning environment easier, while recognizing that students need to maintain their individuality to make the most of the educational experience. Besides forming social bonds with other students in their group, students have a chance to share ideas and opinions with members of other groups, both on and off campus. Students also can develop leadership and professional skills by organizing and spearheading cultural celebrations and workshops.
The main objective of National Association for Multicultural Education, or NAME, is to act as an umbrella organization that brings together groups such as the American Indian Movement and the Organization Of Chinese Americans. Groups like these work to provide educational opportunities to minority students through scholarships as well as educate the general public about minority issues. Connecting students with NAME gives them access to groups serving members from different genders, religions, races and sexual orientations. NAME includes educators from preschool to post-graduate institutions.
Diverse populations in the classroom increase knowledge of other cultures while providing each student with a chance to confront their own prejudices. Schools can attract a new population of minority students by offering scholarships and other aid as well as by recruiting students from schools with historically low levels of academic achievement. Keeping multicultural students enrolled involves offering academic guidance, based on specific needs, and providing summer programs that acclimate them to their new environment.