Changing suburbs, changing students : helping school leaders face the challenges / Shelley B. Wepner and the Changing Suburbs Institute, JoAnne Ferrara [and four others] ; Foreword by Sonia Nieto.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wepner, Shelley B., 1951- author.

Contributor:

Ferrara, JoAnne, 1955-

Manhattanville College. Changing Suburbs Institute.

James Hosmer Penniman Book Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Suburban schools--United States--Administration.

Suburban schools.

Suburban teenagers--Education--United States.

Suburban teenagers.

Education, Secondary--United States.

Education, Secondary.

Education.

Administration.

United States.

Educational leadership--United States.

Educational leadership.

Physical Description:

xxxiv, 195 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Thousand Oaks, California : Corwin, [2012]

Summary:

Embrace the Changing Suburbs by Changing Your School!

As your students evolve, has your school evolved with them? Schools across the country face sweeping demographic changes and a reshaping of suburban scenery into a more urban landscape. This unique book offers not only an explanation of the Increasing diversity in student makeup, but also ideas for acting as an agent of positive change for your school and tools to implement those ideas. Shelley B. Wepner and the experts at the Changing Suburbs Institute recommend ways you can improve student achievement by

Developing a plan of action that addresses the need for more focused, culturally responsive student instruction

Creating a culture that celebrates diversity and values cultural awareness

Collaborating with universities and communities to promote professional development and student learning

Providing tutoring, arts programs, and summer support for English learners

Involving parents to promote student achievement

Effective teaching and engaged learning flourish in schools where diversity and awareness are embraced. Changing Suburbs, Changing Students puts education in suburban America into perspective and gives you the tools to maintain high achievement for all! Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I The Challenges of Changing Suburban School Districts 1

1 The Changing Suburbs 3

What Do We Mean by the Changing Suburbs? 4

Evolution of the Middle-Class Suburbs 5

Immigration and Its Impact on the Suburbs 5

Patterns of Change 6

Schools in the Changing Suburbs 7

Facing the Challenges of Changing Suburban Schools 9

Guidelines for Moving Forward 11

Study Demographics 11

Form Networks 12

Learn About Programs 16

Create a Culture of Acceptance 20

Concluding Remarks 21

2 The School Leader's Role in the Changing Suburbs 23

Role Similarities and Differences for Urban, Rural, and Suburban Leaders 24

Urban Leaders 24

Rural Leaders 25

Suburban Leaders 26

Challenges for School Leaders in Changing Suburban School Districts 28

Student Achievement in Relation to National and State Mandates 28

Funding 30

Personnel Issues 30

Community Issues 30

Professional and Personal Challenges 31

Guidelines for Succeeding in Changing Suburban School Districts 34

Assess Your Own Belief System and Know Yourself 34

Engage in Environmental Scans to Understand Changes 37

Reaffirm Existing Relationships and Form New Ones 39

Collaboratively Develop a Plan of Action That Acknowledges Changes 40

Monitor Progress 44

Concluding Remarks 45

Part II Addressing The Challenges of Changing Suburban School Districts 47

3 Changing the Culture of the School 49

Opportunities and Challenges of Increasing Diversify in the Schools 50

Responsibilities of School Leaders 50

Responsibilities of Teaching Staff 51

Responsibilities of School Community 52

Ways in Which Teachers and Schools Are Changing to Accommodate Increasing Diversity 53

Examples of Changes in Teachers and Schools 53

Creating a School Culture That Works 56

Building Trust 56

Engaging Personal Culture 56

Confronting Issues of Social Dominance and Social Justice 57

Transforming Instructional Practices 57

Engaging the Entire School Community 58

Guidelines for Creating and Sustaining a Culture That Works 59

Develop Self-Reflective Practices 59

Work Within and Across Cultures 59

Promote Communication Practices 61

Assess Climate and Culture 61

Concluding Remarks 62

4 Professional Development 63

Characteristics of High-Quality Professional Development 64

Honors Teachers' Experiences and Acknowledges Teachers' Beliefs 64

Builds Trust 65

Is Collaborative and Relevant 65

Focused on Student Achievement 66

Adequately Funded 67

Contexts, Strategies, and Structures for Professional Learning 67

School-Based Professional Development 67

School-University Partnership as a Structure for Professional Learning 68

Analyzing Student Work 70

Coaching 71

Mentoring Programs 71

School Visitations 73

Action Research 75

The Role of the School Leader in the Professional Development of Teachers 76

Guidelines for School Leaders for Establishing Conditions for Successful Professional Learning 76

Create a Shared Vision 77

Create a Schoolwide Action Plan 77

Form Teams to Move the Plan Forward 77

Articulate Clearly the Roles and Responsibilities of Coaches in Promoting Professional Development 83

Measure Impact 83

Concluding Remarks 83

5 Implementing Programs for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Student Populations 85

Overview of Program Needs for Diverse Student Populations 87

Challenges 87

Helping Teachers Create Culturally Responsive Classrooms 90

Assessing Culture 90

Valuing Diversity 91

Curriculum and Program Changes 92

Programs for ELLs 92

Assessment of Programs 101

Establishing Purpose for Assessment 101

Gathering Data 103

Using Findings to Strengthen Program Development 103

Guidelines for School Leaders 103

Determine Instruction in Relation to Student Needs 103

Delineate Roles and Responsibilities of School Leaders and Teachers 104

Promote Positive Interaction in the School and Community 105

Concluding Remarks 106

6 School-University Collaboration 107

Reasons for School-University Collaborations 108

Professional Development 109

Student Achievement 115

Help With Administrative Staffing Needs 119

Challenges With School-University Collaborations 120

Institutional Culture Clashes 121

Communication 121

Conflicting Expectations 122

Paradigm Shift 122

One-Way Flow of Activities From University to K-12 Schools 123

Guidelines for Forming School-University Partnerships 124

Put Liaisons in Place 126

Ensure Communication Among Stakeholders 126

Have Written Agreements 127

Make Sure Funding Is Available 128

Assess Partnership Viability 129

Concluding Remarks 130

7 Creating an Elementary Community School 131

Description of School History 132

Definition of Community School 132

Purpose and Elements 133

Examples of Community Schools 134

Transforming One School 136

Principal's Analysis 136

Change Process 137

Involvement of Community 138

Pursuit of Funding 140

Involvement of a College and University 141

Role of CSI in the School's Transformation 141

Data to Support Efforts With CSI 142

Challenges in Transforming a School 142

Overcoming Roadblocks 142

Working With Teachers 144

Working With Parents and the Community 145

Working With Students 145

Description of the School Today 146

Teachers' Attitudes, Qualifications, and Classroom Practices 147

Student Achievement Differences 148

Community Involvement 149

Future Goals 149

Guidelines for Forming a Community School 150

School Leaders Must Embrace and Promote the Community School Concept 150

Teachers Need to Open Their Classrooms to Community Partners 151

Partners Need to Support Both School and Community 151

Concluding Remarks 152

8 Working With Parents 153

The Importance of Parents as Partners in Children's Education 154

The Impact of Parents on Student Achievement 154

Issues of Parents in Changing Suburban School Districts 156

Cultural Differences 157

Language 157

Socioeconomic Status (SES) 158

Poverty 158

Work Responsibilities 159

Promoting Parent Engagement in Changing Suburban Schools 160

Changing Suburban Schools' Approaches: Overcoming Challenges and Reducing Barriers to Parent Engagement 160

Outreach 161

Communication 163

Before- and After-School Initiatives 164

Special-Education Classifications, Services, Support, and Rights 165

Role of Higher Education: Leadership and Resources 166

Guidelines for Working With Parents in Changing Suburban Schools 167

Understand, Acknowledge, and Address Parents' Issues and Challenges 167

Ensure That Teachers Are Knowledgeable About Parent Challenges 167

Develop Collaborative Relationships With the Community 169

Document Success 170

Concluding Remarks 170.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the James Hosmer Penniman Book Fund.

ISBN:

1452203911

OCLC:

781684036

Publisher Number:

99950753970