Analysis of Approaches: Additive Approach and Social Action
Approach Liberty University
EDUC 848 – D03
Ebony Parks
November 11,
2018 Dr. Pattie
Williams
Abstract
Multicultural education is an important element in educating all students and has been
highly discussed for centuries. The idea behind teaching with the multicultural education lens
is to be intentional about what is taught, how it is taught and how teachers incorporate different
cultural connections to create relevant experiences that can drive academic growth. It is a broad
phrase that takes on many forms. According to Banks (1999), there are four approaches to
multicultural education. Those approaches include: the contribution approach, the additive
approach, the transformation approach, and the social action approach. Each approach takes a
different angle on how to implement multicultural education. This paper will highlight the
additive and social action approaches to multicultural education by comparing and contrasting
the effectiveness of both and look at the ideas behind culturally relevant teaching.
Multicultural Education
Multicultural education has been a major area of concern in education for decades. The
historical roots of multicultural education grew out a struggle for political power, freedom, and
economic integration during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s (Alismail, 2016). According
to The National Association for Multicultural Education, multicultural education “recognizes the
