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Changing Suburbs, Changing Students
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Changing Suburbs, Changing Students
Helping School Leaders Face the Challenges

Foreword by Sonia Nieto



September 2012 | 232 pages | Corwin

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 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 programs for English learners such as tutoring, the arts, and summer support
  • 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!


"Any district dealing with changing cultures would find these ideas useful. The experiences and the scenarios are most applicable to schools facing an increase in ELL population."
—Martin J. Hudacs, Superintendent
Solanco School District, Quarryville, PA

"This book helps administrators of suburban school districts understand the complexities of the job they hold. More importantly, it provides specific solutions to the challenges they face every day."
—Ken Arndt, Superintendent
Community Unit School District #300, Carpentersville, IL


 
List of Figures
 
Foreword
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I. The Challenges of Changing Suburban School Districts
 
1. The Changing Suburbs
What Do We Mean by the Changing Suburbs?

 
Schools in the Changing Suburbs

 
Guidelines for Moving Forward

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
2. The School Leader's Role in the Changing Suburbs
Role Similarities and Differences for Urban, Rural, and Suburban Leaders

 
Challenges for School Leaders in Changing Suburban School Districts

 
Guidelines for Succeeding in Changing Suburban Schools Districts

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
Part II. Addressing the Challenges of Changing Suburban School Districts
 
3. Changing the Culture of the School
Opportunities and Challenges of Increasing Diversity in the Schools

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

 
Creating a School Culture That Works

 
Guidelines for Creating and Sustaining a Culture That Works

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
4. Professional Development
Characteristics of High-Quality Professional Development

 
Contexts, Strategies, and Structures for Professional Learning

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

 
Guidelines for School Leaders for Establishing Conditions for Successful Professional Learning

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
5. Implementing Programs for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Student Populations
Overview of Program Needs for Diverse Student Populations

 
Helping Teachers to Create Culturally Responsive Classrooms

 
Curriculum and Program Changes

 
Assessment of Programs

 
Guidelines for School Leaders

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
6. School-University Collaboration
Reasons for School-University Collaborations

 
Challenges With School-University Collaborations

 
Guidelines for Forming School-University Partnerships

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
7. Creating an Elementary Community School
Description of School History

 
Definition of Community School

 
Transforming One School

 
Involvement of a College and University

 
Challenges in Transforming a School

 
Description of the School Today

 
Guidelines for Forming a Community School

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
8. Working With Parents
The Importance of Parents as Partners in Children's Education

 
Issues of Parents in Changing Suburban School Districts

 
Promoting Parent Engagement in Changing Suburban Schools

 
Guidelines for Working With Parents in Changing Suburban Schools

 
Concluding Remarks

 
 
Summary of Guidelines for School Leaders
 
References
 
Index

"Any district dealing with changing cultures would find the ideas in this book useful. The experiences and the scenarios are most applicable to schools facing an increase in ELL population."

Martin J. Hudacs, Superintendent
Solanco School District, Quarryville, PA

"The book brings to the forefront the reality that exists in many suburban schools and the need for superintendents, principals, and faculties to become more culturally proficient in their awareness of their changing populations, ensuring active parent involvement, curriculum that reflects the students and families served, and knowing and valuing the changing diversity within their community."

Linda Jungwirth, President
Convening Conversations, Inc.


“This book helps administrators of suburban school districts understand the complexities of the job they hold. More importantly, it provides specific solutions to the challenges they face every day.”

Ken Arndt, Superintendent
Community Unit School District #300, Carpentersville, IL

"I found Changing Suburbs, Changing Schools to be well written and appreciated the helpful examples and suggestions it offers to educators."

Richard Organisciak, Superintendent
New Rochelle School District, New Rochelle, NY
Key features

This book provides

  • An overview of the issues and challenges to increasing school and district leaders' understanding of changing suburban schools
  • Administrative, instructional, curricular, and professional development ideas for tackling such challenges at both the elementary and secondary levels
  • Guidelines for succeeding with teachers, students, and the community
  • A collaborative model for partnering with colleges/universities and communities to promote professional development and student learning

Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

contact corwin

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ISBN: 9781452203911
CAD$ 58.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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