Independent study is often the primary avenue for professional development for many educators. To assist educators in their professional and cultural fluency development, the Center staff has identified key resources on multicultural education and the diverse cultural communities in our nation. While not exhaustive, we hope these reference lists will provide educators with a place to begin and will stimulate further inquiry.

General Multicultural References are recommended academic readings on important issues in multicultural education. These references include books, articles, journals, and websites that address the complex issues of diversity in America and the important role of education in shaping an inclusive, pluralistic, and democratic society.

Culture-Specific Resources include recommended fiction and nonfiction books, videos, and websites that an educator can use to gain familiarity with specific cultures. These recommendations have been carefully selected to represent the diversity within each cultural group. While they include resources about ancestor cultures, the primary focus is on the American experience of each cultural group. Many of these resources were selected because of their portrayal of universal themes and conflicts that span all cultures, helping us make discoveries about ourselves as we learn about others. While not exhaustive, these recommendations represent quality resources that can be used to begin or to expand your fluency with a specific cultural group.