ESU Teacher's College sponsors lecture on multicultural education

By Becky Lundblom
Student Public Affairs and Marketing

Lewis Diuguid, a pioneer in the study of multicultural education, will present "Closing the Educational Opportunity and Achievement Gaps: Education's Unfinished Brown v. Board Agenda," Feb. 23 in Visser Hall, Room 330 - Jones Conference Center.

Diuguid is vice president for community resources at The Kansas City Star, serves on the editorial board, writes opinion columns, and is responsible for The Star 's community philanthropic efforts and diversity initiatives. He has written about 100 columns for The Star chronicling what it is like to be a teenager and teacher today.

He is also author of A Teacher's Cry: Expose the Truth About Education Today . The book offers ways to improve public schools and is rooted in Diuguid's studies with the Kansas City Washington High School Class of 1999 from their freshman year until graduation.

"Lewis Diuguid is a courageous journalist who does not shy away from controversial topics. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to the education of young people and encourages the involvement and support of parents, teachers, and communities in this effort," said Dr. Renate Mai-Dalton, KU multicultural scholars program director. "His insights from visiting an inner city high school class from their freshmen to senior years, provide us with some guidance as to how we can help make our schools more successful."

Diuguid will discuss a number of topics dealing with education. "In my lecture I will speak about the disinvestment that has occurred in education -- particularly in urban schools," he said. "I will also discuss some diversity issues and how they apply to the quality of teaching."

Diuguid believes it is important to get the word out about how schools in America have been changing. "The community benefits when the schools turn out students who are critical thinkers who want to be lifelong learners. Public education must be rejuvenated. Right now it is under siege, and so are teachers," he said.

The program is sponsored by the ESU Teacher's College and the Kansas Humanities Council. For further information, contact Cynthia Anast Seguin, Multicultural Specialist at 620-341-5096.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>