Thus, we engage in research and projects that promote equity and excellence in schools and society in order to advance our fundamental purpose of realizing a just, democratic society based on multicultural respect, where all individuals and communities are supported in reaching their fullest potential.

Multicultural respect involves recognizing, valuing, accommodating and nurturing positive expressions and experiences of diversity, including being responsive to linguistic, cultural, racial, religious, gender and special needs diversity, and viewing such diversity as simultaneously sources of wisdom, strength and struggle within the U.S. and throughout the wider global society.

This vision leads us to ask fundamental questions:

What should 21st century learners in an evolving democratic society look like, know and be able to do?

What aspects of public education need to change to support diverse 21st century learners?

What should influence our decisions about what changes are needed and how to go about it?

As key starting points and responses to the questions above, CLMER organizes its work around our Vision for a 21st Century Learner (what should they look like), Elements of Education Reform (what needs to change) and CLMER Lenses (what should influence our decisions) which reflect key theories, approaches, practices and orientations that guide our work with schools and communities. Please follow links from this page to summaries of these vision frameworks.