Cultural Diversity

The Struggle for Inclusion: The Chicano Educational Experience in a Diverse Society highlights many of the key issues confronted by native-born Chicano and Mexican immigrant students. Part of the larger story of education in the United States, this anthology starts by exploring the diverse perspectives of the experiences of the Mexican-origin community in schools before examining topical areas of relevance and importance to the twenty-first century. Of particular interest are the issues of segregation and the community's resistance to the exclusion of their children. Students will gain insight to the role of culture and language, the experience of immigrant students and bilingual education, teacher relationships with students, access to higher education, border issues, and the possibilities of reform. Compiled for future teachers and other professionals alike, this anthology ultimately calls attention to the need to improve the educational experiences of both Mexican-origin students and all students regardless of race.

Selections in The Struggle for Inclusion are organized into seven parts:

- Part I Perspectives on Chicanos and Schools
- Part II Chicanos, Cultural Diversity and Demographic Portraits
- Part III Segregating Chicanos and Community Resistance
- Part IV Immigrant Students and Bilingual Education
- Part V Access to Higher Education
- Part VI Border Issues
- Part VII Reforms, Possibility and the Future

Carlos F. Ortega was born and raised in Los Angeles. He received his university training at California State University, Northridge, Harvard University, and the University of Southern California. His teaching and research interests are in the fields of Chicano Studies and Educational Policy Analysis. He previously taught at California State University, Northridge and at Sonoma State University. He currently serves as lecturer for the Chicano Studies Program at the University of Texas-El Paso. He teaches courses in cultural diversity, Chicano music and film. From 1995-1997, he was also coordinator of the Latino Leadership Opportunity Program at the same campus.