In this updated edition, Banks argues that an effective citizenship education helps students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values needed to function effectively within their cultural communities, nation states, regions, and the global community.

James A. Banks is Kerry and Linda Killinger Professor in Diversity Studies and Director of the Center for Multicultural Education at the University of Washington, Seattle. He is the editor of the Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education, a past president of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), and a member of the National Academy of Education. Professor Banks is the editor of the Multicultural Education Series of books published by Teachers College Press. He received the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation 2022 Medal Award honoring significant, distinguished, and enduring contributions to education through advocating for innovation, advancing education, and imparting inspiration. He received the 2023 AERA Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award.