Whittier College News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: 562-907-4912 or mediarelations@whittier.edu.

DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION CONFERENCE PROMOTES SOCIAL JUSTICE

WHITTIER, CA (JANUARY 9, 2007) – Distinguished scholars, policy makers, and educators will gather to dialogue, debate and explore solutions to the problem of stereotypes, prejudice and expectations in education. Beyond Valuing Diversity: Promoting Equity and Social Justice for Children and Youth in Multicultural Societies, a four-day conference, seeks to fully address the affects of inequity and stigmatization on the success of children and youth in school. The conference will be held February 15-18.

The conference will focus on an array of issues that impact the changing contemporary educational setting. Topics will explore:

Achievement gap and under-representation of minority groups in academic subjects
Diversity and equity in schools from kindergarten through higher education
Reducing stereotypes and prejudice
Immigration

Noted scholars and practitioners will be in attendance, including:

Lilian Katz, a specialist in early childhood education at the University of Illinois

Claude Steele, professor of psychology at Stanford University, has researched the impact of negative stereotyping impacts academic achievement and expectations
Jean Phinney, professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, is the author of Immigrant Youth in Cultural Transition.

The event is open to educators, students, parents, policy makers and others concerned about equity and diversity in education. The conference will include round table discussions, fireside chats, and a symposium. More information is available online at http://web.whittier.edu/broadoaks/symposium/symposium.html or (562) 907-4994.

The symposium is part of the centennial celebration of The Broadoaks Children’s School, an ethnically diverse elementary school and learning laboratory on the campus of Whittier College.

Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service.

Whittier College, 13406 Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90608-0634