High‐quality education for all students: putting social justice at its heart

Abstract

Despite decades of reform and school improvement initiatives, large numbers of students are still underachieving, failing, or being pushed out of school. Clearly, a distinctly new approach is needed – one that takes into account the global diaspora and increasing school demographic diversity. Unless educators begin to take account of differences in students' material realities and lived experiences, ongoing lack of school success for many students will continue to inhibit their life chances, and ultimately negatively affect our democratic society. The authors argue that teaching in socially just ways is not only a prerequisite for students' intellectual growth and improved outcomes, but for educating citizens who will become agents of change for themselves and others in the quest for a more just society.

Keywords:

• social justice
• dialogue
• teacher education
• curriculum reform
• disadvantaged students