CHAPTER 4: Understanding the Cultural Capital of Learners of Muslim Descent

This chapter focuses on the schooling of Muslim children in the United States. The post-9/11 era has presented numerous challenges to learners of Muslim descent. Whether their status is that of native-born citizens of the United States or they are recent immigrants, these learners confront issues related to the mismatch between the culture that their parents have inculcated in them and the norms of mainstream U.S. culture. Conflicts are deeply rooted in religious, cultural, and familial perspectives, and frequently evidenced in the learners’ unsuccessful efforts to understand their teachers’ expectations. This chapter is meant to introduce the reader to issues and solutions that will assure all learners of Muslim descent and their families feel a valued and integral part of the educational system. In addition, this chapter will highlight ways that teachers at kindergarten through secondary school can meet the challenge to everyone’s benefit.