In the Pursuit of Justice: Students’ Rights to Read and Write in Elementary School (Principles in Practice)

Even from the earliest grades, children have the rights to read and write—not just in dominant American English, but also in their own languages and dialects.Young children make meaning and make sense from the earliest years.They read facial expressions, engage in interactions, and read symbols across a variety of named languages.Historically narrow definitions of reading and writing, however, often prevent children of color and immigrants from having access to texts that reflect their diverse cultures and backgrounds.Classroom materials also often don't reflect the growing majority of multilingual children of color, compromising their right to access texts that reflect their cultural values, language practices, and historical legacies.