The United States of America was founded upon the principle of E pluribus unum , in many one. We have yet to realize that ideal. Schools play an important, and possibly central role in achieving this noble goal.
Teachers can help children understand, appreciate and practice unity in diversity.
Yet our curricula and classrooms have failed to reflect this high and vitally needed ideal that will make this country a great nation and a model for the rest of the world. Our schools cannot be held solely or mainly responsible for the prejudices that have arisen from our diversity, but they bear a special responsibility to do much more to eradicate the prejudices that have infected the body of our nation. Our schools have not provided enough opportunities for students to learn about those who are not in the privileged classes of our society. Below are some suggestions for helping children and youth better understand and appreciate the rich and valuable diversity of our world. These suggestions have been synthesized from some earlier papers by the author and other sources, especially Teaching Young Children to Resist Bias published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.