Matthew Knoester publishes book examining multicultural and bilingual schools

Associate Professor of Educational Studies Matthew Knoester is the co-author of a new book. “Learning to Cross Divides: Examining Critical Multicultural and Bilingual Schools” was published by Routledge in July.

“Education for bilingualism and intercultural competence is valuable in multicultural societies like the U.S. and Israel/Palestine,” Knoester says. “This book looks closely at schools carrying out this important work, describing their strategies, accomplishments and also their struggles.”

According to the publisher’s description, the book “demonstrates how multilingual schooling can enhance democracy through a connection with the policies and practices of critical education.

“With its in-depth analysis of real schools that focus on the dual emphases of multiculturalism and integration, this book examines what a truly critical multicultural and bilingual education means and what is required of those who are intimately connected with these processes. As such, it will be important reading for those studying, teaching or researching in Sociology of Education, Multicultural Education, Multilingual and Bilingual Education, Educational Policy, and Critical Education Studies.”

Knoester and co-author Assaf Meshulam both earned their doctorates from the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Knoester in 2010 and Meshulam in 2011. Meshulam is a senior lecturer and head of the Department of Learning, Policy and Management in the School of Education, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Purchase information is available here.