Resources
Language Policy and Bilingual Education
Translation Blunders!
A few funny and serious blunders just to get you started with some reasons to start thinking about language learning in the first place.
Kenji Hajuta's Homepage
Kenji Hakuta is a researcher and professor at Stanford University. He posts many of his own important research papers at his site, including ones on second language acquisition, bilingual education, and policy issues in education. His "main passion is in how research can impact education practice and policy. As a researcher with training in experimental psycholinguistics, I am especially interested in the role of evidence from behavioral data collected with theoretical discipline."
Steve Krashen's Website
Stephen D. Krashen is professor emeritus from USC. He has been one of the premier scholars in the fields of bilingual education, second language acquisition, and literacy education for decades. The site provides a list of most of his publications. He has made many of his most recent writings, especially those appearing in various popular media outlets, available electronically.
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA) collects, analyzes, synthesizes and disseminates information about language instruction educational programs for English language learners and related programs. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement & Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA) under Title III of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. This used to be the "National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education." The OELA used to be the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs. Upon the "election" of George the younger, the word "bilingual" was purged from federal vocabulary.
National Association for Bilingual Education
From the site: "The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only professional organization at the national level wholly devoted to representing both English language learners and bilingual education professionals. Along with our affiliate organizations in 23 states, we represent a combined membership of more than 20,000 bilingual and English-as-a-second-language teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, university professors and students, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and parents."
Institute for Language and Education Policy
From the website: "The Institute is incorporated for the purpose of "educating the public on research-based strategies for promoting academic excellence and equity for English and heritage language learners." Our mission is to ensure that policies for serving these children reflect the latest research about language and education. Toward that end we plan to produce issue briefs, policy analysis, news bulletins, commentary articles, online publications, media outreach, and public forums on issues including the No Child Left Behind Act, the English Only movement, and bilingual and heritage language education."
Consortium for Language Policy and Planning
The Consortium supports projects that show promise of enhancing understanding of language policy issues. The site provides listings of some projects and a number of bibliographies and other resources.
A few funny and serious blunders just to get you started with some reasons to start thinking about language learning in the first place.
Kenji Hajuta's Homepage
Kenji Hakuta is a researcher and professor at Stanford University. He posts many of his own important research papers at his site, including ones on second language acquisition, bilingual education, and policy issues in education. His "main passion is in how research can impact education practice and policy. As a researcher with training in experimental psycholinguistics, I am especially interested in the role of evidence from behavioral data collected with theoretical discipline."
Steve Krashen's Website
Stephen D. Krashen is professor emeritus from USC. He has been one of the premier scholars in the fields of bilingual education, second language acquisition, and literacy education for decades. The site provides a list of most of his publications. He has made many of his most recent writings, especially those appearing in various popular media outlets, available electronically.
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition
The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs (NCELA) collects, analyzes, synthesizes and disseminates information about language instruction educational programs for English language learners and related programs. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement & Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA) under Title III of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. This used to be the "National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education." The OELA used to be the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs. Upon the "election" of George the younger, the word "bilingual" was purged from federal vocabulary.
National Association for Bilingual Education
From the site: "The National Association for Bilingual Education is the only professional organization at the national level wholly devoted to representing both English language learners and bilingual education professionals. Along with our affiliate organizations in 23 states, we represent a combined membership of more than 20,000 bilingual and English-as-a-second-language teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, university professors and students, researchers, advocates, policymakers, and parents."
Institute for Language and Education Policy
From the website: "The Institute is incorporated for the purpose of "educating the public on research-based strategies for promoting academic excellence and equity for English and heritage language learners." Our mission is to ensure that policies for serving these children reflect the latest research about language and education. Toward that end we plan to produce issue briefs, policy analysis, news bulletins, commentary articles, online publications, media outreach, and public forums on issues including the No Child Left Behind Act, the English Only movement, and bilingual and heritage language education."
Consortium for Language Policy and Planning
The Consortium supports projects that show promise of enhancing understanding of language policy issues. The site provides listings of some projects and a number of bibliographies and other resources.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Issues
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is the leading national organization fighting to end homophobia and heterosexism in K-12 schools. The site offers a resource center with a variety of links and information for teachers, guidance counselors, and other school personnel seeking ways to help the gay/lesbian students in their schools. The site also provides up to date news regarding GLBT issues. GLSEN "strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike."
Finding LGBTQ Friendly Colleges
This site helps to simply the process of finding a college where LGBTQ students will flourish. It also has an extensive list of relevant scholarships. See also the list of Top 50 LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges.
Creating LGBTQIA+ Friendly Communities in Healthcare & Education
"Inclusive, welcoming, patient-centered healthcare should be afforded to people from all walks of life, especially those who often feel marginalized due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Learn the challenges we face and the steps we can take to bridge the LGBTQIA+ health gap from the classroom to the clinic."
Creating LGBTQIA+ Friendly Schools and Campus Communities
This resources reviews the challenges faced by LGBTQIA students on campus and provides a number of recommendations for creating more inclusive schools/campuses.
LGBTQ+ College Student Guide - Intelligent
Intelligent.com is a student-focused publication dedicated to delivering data-driven research and insights to aid students and educational institutions nationwide. Our commitment is to foster informed decision-making and elevate educational standards by translating complex data into understandable and actionable information.
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is the leading national organization fighting to end homophobia and heterosexism in K-12 schools. The site offers a resource center with a variety of links and information for teachers, guidance counselors, and other school personnel seeking ways to help the gay/lesbian students in their schools. The site also provides up to date news regarding GLBT issues. GLSEN "strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. We believe that such an atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike."
Finding LGBTQ Friendly Colleges
This site helps to simply the process of finding a college where LGBTQ students will flourish. It also has an extensive list of relevant scholarships. See also the list of Top 50 LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges.
Creating LGBTQIA+ Friendly Communities in Healthcare & Education
"Inclusive, welcoming, patient-centered healthcare should be afforded to people from all walks of life, especially those who often feel marginalized due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Learn the challenges we face and the steps we can take to bridge the LGBTQIA+ health gap from the classroom to the clinic."
Creating LGBTQIA+ Friendly Schools and Campus Communities
This resources reviews the challenges faced by LGBTQIA students on campus and provides a number of recommendations for creating more inclusive schools/campuses.
LGBTQ+ College Student Guide - Intelligent
Intelligent.com is a student-focused publication dedicated to delivering data-driven research and insights to aid students and educational institutions nationwide. Our commitment is to foster informed decision-making and elevate educational standards by translating complex data into understandable and actionable information.
General Policy Issues
The Tomas Rivera Policy Institute
The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute conducts and disseminates objective, policy-relevant research and its implications to decision makers on key issues affecting Latino communities.
Intercultural Development Research Association
IDRA is an independent, non-profit organization that advocates the right of every child to a quality education. For more than 20 years, IDRA has worked for excellence and equity in education in Texas and across the United States. IDRA conducts research and development activities; creates, implements and administers innovative education programs; and provides teacher, administrator, and parent training and technical assistance.
National Education Policy Center
"The mission of the National Education Policy Center is to produce and disseminate high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. We are guided by the belief that the democratic governance of public education is strengthened when policies are based on sound evidence." The Center provides ongoing reports and accessible policy briefs on current educational debates.
Rethinking Schools
Founded in 1986 as a grassroots organization, Rethinking Schools has become a key organization in the promotion of critical pedagogy. Educators can subscribe to their quarterly magazine and each issue is full of important news, stories, and pedagogical ideas for critical educators. They also publish a variety of exceedingly useful books and materials. This is a must visit for anyone who fancies herself an educator.
The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute conducts and disseminates objective, policy-relevant research and its implications to decision makers on key issues affecting Latino communities.
Intercultural Development Research Association
IDRA is an independent, non-profit organization that advocates the right of every child to a quality education. For more than 20 years, IDRA has worked for excellence and equity in education in Texas and across the United States. IDRA conducts research and development activities; creates, implements and administers innovative education programs; and provides teacher, administrator, and parent training and technical assistance.
National Education Policy Center
"The mission of the National Education Policy Center is to produce and disseminate high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. We are guided by the belief that the democratic governance of public education is strengthened when policies are based on sound evidence." The Center provides ongoing reports and accessible policy briefs on current educational debates.
Rethinking Schools
Founded in 1986 as a grassroots organization, Rethinking Schools has become a key organization in the promotion of critical pedagogy. Educators can subscribe to their quarterly magazine and each issue is full of important news, stories, and pedagogical ideas for critical educators. They also publish a variety of exceedingly useful books and materials. This is a must visit for anyone who fancies herself an educator.
Multicultural/Intercultural Education and Critical Pedagogy
Multicultural Perspectives in Mathematics Education
The concept of multicultural education seems to make better sense to us in history classes or social studies classes or even literature classes. But math is math, right? This site is for those who are interested in "teaching mathematics reflecting contributions of many cultures and in teaching students who bring cultural diverse backgrounds to mathematics learning." This site is not particularly well maintained and many of its links are dead. However, there are still some good references to be found here. (See also the link to the National Association for Multicultural Education below and the Multicultural Pavilion.)
National Association for Multicultural Education
(see link under "professional education organizations" below)
Multicultural Pavilion
This is another website with a mountain of information on multicultural education. It features a "teacher's corner" that includes a classroom resources section, a "handouts and models" section with downloadable materials, a definitions of multicultural education section, and much more. A great place for both the nascent and experienced multicultural educator.
The Freire Institute
"The Freire Institute is an organization for transformative community-based learning. In our programmes your own knowledge and life experience becomes the raw material for education. We develop tools and approaches based on the work of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, whose work has inspired many social movements and educational programmes around the world."
Professional Education Organizations
The American Educational Research Association
"The American Educational Research Association is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its more than 22,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research, testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists."
The American Educational Studies Association
"AESA is a society primarily comprised of college and university professors who teach and research in the field of education utilizing one or more of the liberal arts disciplines of philosophy, history, politics, sociology, anthropology, or economics as well as comparative/international studies. The role of AESA is to provide a cross-disciplinary forum wherein scholars might gather to exchange and debate ideas generated from the above mentioned areas. This cross-disciplinary commitment of the organization creates a landscape for the discussion of broader policy issues such as minority studies, gender studies, multicultural education, democracy, and issues of educational equality and equity. Our membership is dedicated to examining issues in education from a plurality of academic viewpoints and perspectives."
The Philosophy of Education Society
"The purposes of this organization are (1) to promote the fundamental philosophic treatment of the problems of education, (2) to promote the clarification of agreements and differences among the several philosophies of education through the opportunities for discussion afforded by annual meetings, (3) to advance and improve teaching in the philosophy of education both in schools for the education of teachers and in other educational institutions, (4) to cultivate fruitful relationships between workers in general philosophy and workers in philosophy of education, (5) to cultivate fruitful relationships between scholars in philosophy of education and those in other areas of education, and (6) to encourage promising students in the field of philosophy of education." See also, The Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain.
The John Dewey Society
"Founded in 1935, The John Dewey Society exists to keep alive John Dewey's commitment to the use of critical and reflective intelligence in the search for solutions to crucial problems in education and culture. We subscribe to no doctrine, but in the spirit of Dewey, we welcome controversy, respect dissent, and encourage the responsible discussions of issues of special concern to educators. We also promote open-minded, critical reconsiderations of Dewey's influential ideas about democracy, education, and philosophy."
National Association for Multicultural Education
The focus of the organization is to bring together educators and others interested in multiculturalism. The goal of the organization is to promote the basic tenets of democracy and multiculturalism following the beliefs that "multicultural education promotes equity for all regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, belief system or exceptionality" and that "multicultural education enables the individual to believe in one's own intrinsic worth and culture, to transcend monoculturalism and, ultimately, to become multicultural."
"The American Educational Research Association is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing educational research and its practical application. Its more than 22,000 members are educators; administrators; directors of research, testing or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies; counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists."
The American Educational Studies Association
"AESA is a society primarily comprised of college and university professors who teach and research in the field of education utilizing one or more of the liberal arts disciplines of philosophy, history, politics, sociology, anthropology, or economics as well as comparative/international studies. The role of AESA is to provide a cross-disciplinary forum wherein scholars might gather to exchange and debate ideas generated from the above mentioned areas. This cross-disciplinary commitment of the organization creates a landscape for the discussion of broader policy issues such as minority studies, gender studies, multicultural education, democracy, and issues of educational equality and equity. Our membership is dedicated to examining issues in education from a plurality of academic viewpoints and perspectives."
The Philosophy of Education Society
"The purposes of this organization are (1) to promote the fundamental philosophic treatment of the problems of education, (2) to promote the clarification of agreements and differences among the several philosophies of education through the opportunities for discussion afforded by annual meetings, (3) to advance and improve teaching in the philosophy of education both in schools for the education of teachers and in other educational institutions, (4) to cultivate fruitful relationships between workers in general philosophy and workers in philosophy of education, (5) to cultivate fruitful relationships between scholars in philosophy of education and those in other areas of education, and (6) to encourage promising students in the field of philosophy of education." See also, The Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain.
The John Dewey Society
"Founded in 1935, The John Dewey Society exists to keep alive John Dewey's commitment to the use of critical and reflective intelligence in the search for solutions to crucial problems in education and culture. We subscribe to no doctrine, but in the spirit of Dewey, we welcome controversy, respect dissent, and encourage the responsible discussions of issues of special concern to educators. We also promote open-minded, critical reconsiderations of Dewey's influential ideas about democracy, education, and philosophy."
National Association for Multicultural Education
The focus of the organization is to bring together educators and others interested in multiculturalism. The goal of the organization is to promote the basic tenets of democracy and multiculturalism following the beliefs that "multicultural education promotes equity for all regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, belief system or exceptionality" and that "multicultural education enables the individual to believe in one's own intrinsic worth and culture, to transcend monoculturalism and, ultimately, to become multicultural."
Class and Poverty
Institute for Research on Poverty
"The Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) is a national, university-based center for research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan." The site provides a mountain of information, including research reports, links to other centers studying poverty, grant opportunities, and statistics on poverty in U.S. society.
National Center for Children in Poverty
The purpose of the organization is "to identify and promote strategies that prevent child poverty in the United States and that improve the lives of low-income children and their families." The site provides state and local information, a number of research reports (with pdf versions of the executive summaries), and full-length articles from the organization's newsletter.
"The Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) is a national, university-based center for research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan." The site provides a mountain of information, including research reports, links to other centers studying poverty, grant opportunities, and statistics on poverty in U.S. society.
National Center for Children in Poverty
The purpose of the organization is "to identify and promote strategies that prevent child poverty in the United States and that improve the lives of low-income children and their families." The site provides state and local information, a number of research reports (with pdf versions of the executive summaries), and full-length articles from the organization's newsletter.
Philosophy
Will Kymlicka's Homepage
Will Kymlicka, at Queen's University, Ontario, is an important political philosopher, especially for those interested in minority issues. His site provides a list of his publications and links to other internet sources on diversity and democracy.
Philosophy Pages
The Philosophy Pages was put together by Garth Kemerling. It is a massive site with just about everything you want to know from Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names to a survey of the History of Western Philosophy.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
"From its inception, the SEP was designed so that each entry is maintained and kept up-to-date by an expert or group of experts in the field. All entries and substantive updates are refereed by the members of a distinguished Editorial Board before they are made public. Consequently, our dynamic reference work maintains academic standards while evolving and adapting in response to new research."
Will Kymlicka, at Queen's University, Ontario, is an important political philosopher, especially for those interested in minority issues. His site provides a list of his publications and links to other internet sources on diversity and democracy.
Philosophy Pages
The Philosophy Pages was put together by Garth Kemerling. It is a massive site with just about everything you want to know from Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names to a survey of the History of Western Philosophy.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
"From its inception, the SEP was designed so that each entry is maintained and kept up-to-date by an expert or group of experts in the field. All entries and substantive updates are refereed by the members of a distinguished Editorial Board before they are made public. Consequently, our dynamic reference work maintains academic standards while evolving and adapting in response to new research."
Globalization
Global Policy Forum
"Global Policy Forum monitors policy making at the United Nations, promotes accountability of global decisions, educates and mobilizes for global citizen participation, and advocates on vital issues of international peace and justice." The site includes a link to pages on "globalization" which include discussions of globalization of the economy, politics, culture, and law, as well as definitions of globalization. There is also a link to resources (not up to date, but valuable) and other links.
Global Exchange
"Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world." The site provides critical analyses of the rulemakers of the global economy (WTO, IMF, World Bank) as well as global, "free" trade agreements.
Fairtrade Federation
The FTF "is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are fully committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide." While it is barely scratching the surface in the United States, FTF certified products are reasonably well-known and wide-spread throughout Europe. See Fair Trade Certified to locate stores in your area.
"Global Policy Forum monitors policy making at the United Nations, promotes accountability of global decisions, educates and mobilizes for global citizen participation, and advocates on vital issues of international peace and justice." The site includes a link to pages on "globalization" which include discussions of globalization of the economy, politics, culture, and law, as well as definitions of globalization. There is also a link to resources (not up to date, but valuable) and other links.
Global Exchange
"Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world." The site provides critical analyses of the rulemakers of the global economy (WTO, IMF, World Bank) as well as global, "free" trade agreements.
Fairtrade Federation
The FTF "is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are fully committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide." While it is barely scratching the surface in the United States, FTF certified products are reasonably well-known and wide-spread throughout Europe. See Fair Trade Certified to locate stores in your area.
And introducing in the right-wing corner...
Media Research Center
Given that the MRC is a right-wing propaganda machine, their slogan--"bringing political balance and responsibility to the media"--is quite laughable. Recently, a spokesman for the Center honestly declared "We are training our guns on any media outlet or reporter interfering with America's war on terrorism or [trying] to undermine President Bush." In other words, freedom of speech is ok as long as you agree with them. Of course, they have bought into the myth of the liberal media, a myth that simply disintegrates under inspection (not even close inspection). Instead of wasting your time at the MRC site, check out Noam Chomsky's Myth of the Liberal Media instead and visit his archives or website. After all, he has been largely black-listed from mainstream media so browsing on your own may be the only way to get to the truth. Speaking of which, I also recommend "Project Censored." They provide information censored by the political machine--the stuff the government would prefer you not know. For example, PC reports that in 1993 "one of the most thorough investigations into the quality of education in the United States did not produce the expected results to support the Bush administration's preference for the school voucher system and ended up being swept under the carpet."
Center for Equal Opportunity
The CEO is nothing about what its name suggests. In fact, its purpose is to work against programs that provide equal opportunity. One of the Center's favorite targets is bilingual education. At one point, they were promising people cash payoffs to tell them horror stories about bilingual education. Maybe this is why their case in New Mexico, some years ago, to try to eliminate bilingual education was thrown out of court? If you want scholarship and research that qualifies as scientific on the same issues that the CEO covers, I recommend the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence (CREDE) or the Institute for Language and Education Policy (listed above).
The Heritage Foundation
"Heritage’s mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense." In reality, the Foundation's Project 2025 seems to undermine freedom including women's health and reproductive choice, LGBT rights, the freedom to breath clean air (placing profit over a healthy planet), the freedom to be treated fairly by banks and other financial institutions, etc. (See Vox and The Brennan Center for Justice.)
Given that the MRC is a right-wing propaganda machine, their slogan--"bringing political balance and responsibility to the media"--is quite laughable. Recently, a spokesman for the Center honestly declared "We are training our guns on any media outlet or reporter interfering with America's war on terrorism or [trying] to undermine President Bush." In other words, freedom of speech is ok as long as you agree with them. Of course, they have bought into the myth of the liberal media, a myth that simply disintegrates under inspection (not even close inspection). Instead of wasting your time at the MRC site, check out Noam Chomsky's Myth of the Liberal Media instead and visit his archives or website. After all, he has been largely black-listed from mainstream media so browsing on your own may be the only way to get to the truth. Speaking of which, I also recommend "Project Censored." They provide information censored by the political machine--the stuff the government would prefer you not know. For example, PC reports that in 1993 "one of the most thorough investigations into the quality of education in the United States did not produce the expected results to support the Bush administration's preference for the school voucher system and ended up being swept under the carpet."
Center for Equal Opportunity
The CEO is nothing about what its name suggests. In fact, its purpose is to work against programs that provide equal opportunity. One of the Center's favorite targets is bilingual education. At one point, they were promising people cash payoffs to tell them horror stories about bilingual education. Maybe this is why their case in New Mexico, some years ago, to try to eliminate bilingual education was thrown out of court? If you want scholarship and research that qualifies as scientific on the same issues that the CEO covers, I recommend the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence (CREDE) or the Institute for Language and Education Policy (listed above).
The Heritage Foundation
"Heritage’s mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense." In reality, the Foundation's Project 2025 seems to undermine freedom including women's health and reproductive choice, LGBT rights, the freedom to breath clean air (placing profit over a healthy planet), the freedom to be treated fairly by banks and other financial institutions, etc. (See Vox and The Brennan Center for Justice.)
