She is past President of the National Association for Multicultural Education and past Vice President of Division K of the American Educational Research Association. She is also a member of the National Academy of Education, a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association, and a Fellow of the National Education Policy Center. Her research focuses on anti-racist multicultural education, ethnic studies, and teacher education. Her publications include over 170 articles in books and journals such as Educational Researcher, Multicultural Education Review, Urban Education, and Teaching and Teacher Education; and 23 books.

Her most recent non-fiction book is Critical Race Theory and its Critics (with F. López, Teachers College Press, 2023), and her most recent social fiction book is Family History in Black and White (Brill). Much of her writing – including her novels — explores teachers as they grapple with improving their ability to reach and teach their diverse students. She has developed several conceptual frameworks and tools to guide educators, such as her tools for Critical Family History, and the framework in her best-selling book (with J. FLores Carmona) Un-Standardizing Curriculum.

She has also produced research and research reviews that have helped in advocacy for racial justice in education, particularly ethnic studies, and has contributed to CARE-ED research briefs designed to influence policy in California. Her fiction writing combines artistry with research and action, evident in this book trailer. Because of this work, Christine is a sought-after speaker in the U.S. and globally.