Theoretical Perspectives: A Brief Overview.

Critical educational theories enhance the exploration of the complex issues and challenges raised by students and teachers working within culturally diverse settings.

One of the theories informing this study’s philosophical approach is Critical Race Theory (CRT) [1] which is ‘committed to social justice as a general principle, [and] particularly acknowledges the pervasiveness of race and racism in the ongoing experiences of students of colour and in the structures and practices of educational institutions’. [2] By locating marginalised students at the heart of its conceptual approach, CRT aims to capture the individual stories of students as the basis of a counter discourse aimed at challenging the dominant stereotypes of culturally different groups.

This section of the TSM explores three theoretic frameworks for understanding the challenges of cultural diversity within contemporary school environments, with some additional resources for further reading:

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Critical Educationalist Research and Postcolonial Theory

Transformative Model of Multicultural Education

Resources on Critical Race Theory

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(1) Delgado, R. & Steefancic, J. (2003), Critical Race Theory: An Introduction, New York, New York University Press.
(2) McDonald, H. (2003), Exploring possibilities through critical race theory: exemplary pedagogical practices for indigenous students. Paper prepared for NZARE/AARE Joint Conference 2003, p.2.

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