Changing Suburbs, Changing Students

Helping School Leaders Face the Challenges
Shelley B. Wepner - School of Education at Manhattanville College
JoAnne G. Ferrara - Manhattanville College, USA
Kristin N. Rainville - Manhattanville College, USA
Diane W. Gómez - Manhattanville College, USA
Diane E. Lang - Manhattanville College, USA
Laura A. Bigaouette - Manhattanville College, USA
Changing Suburbs, Changing Students
September 2012 | 232 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452283937
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ISBN: 9781452203911
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Description

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

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

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

Summary of Guidelines for School Leaders

References

References

Index

Index

Description

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

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

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

Summary of Guidelines for School Leaders

References

References

Index

Index

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Changing Suburbs, Changing Students

Helping School Leaders Face the Challenges

Shelley B. Wepner , JoAnne G. Ferrara , Kristin N. Rainville , Diane W. Gómez , Diane E. Lang , Laura A. Bigaouette
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September 2012 | 232 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781452203911 $43.95
Lifetime 01/01/2025 9781452283937 $40.00

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


Table Of Contents:

  • 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

Recent Product Reviews:

"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
“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
"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.

Recommendations