ABSTRACT

Advancing Equity and Achievement in America’s Diverse Schools illustrates how educators, students, families and community partners can work in strategic ways to build on social, cultural, and ethnic diversity to advance educational equity and achievement. By drawing on the latest data on demographic change, constructions of culture and cultural difference, and the politics of school reform in urban, rural, and suburban school communities, this volume looks toward solutions and strategies for meaningful educational improvement.

Contributors consider both the diversity of youth and families served in public schools, and the culture of U.S. schooling, highlighting the influence of policy and reform agendas; students’ identities and agency; experiences and approaches of diverse educators; and the workings of effective school partnerships. Chapters also focus on those often overlooked in educational scholarship such as Native Americans, students experiencing poverty and/or homelessness, Muslim students, students with special needs, and students and educators who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer. In all, this edited collection stresses the need for high quality education that is inclusive, culturally responsive and unifying so all students can experience academic success. This book is a meaningful resource for educators, policymakers, and community-based leaders interested in doing such transformative work.

part |69 pages

Understanding Educational Equity and Achievement in America

chapter |16 pages

A Nation (of Students) at Risk

The Political Rhetoric of Equity and Achievement in US Education Reform

chapter |16 pages

NCLB's Intensifying Makeover

Race to the Top's Troubling Changes to Rules, Incentives, and Practice

chapter |19 pages

Cultural Work and Demographically Changing Schools

New Opportunities for Transformative Leadership 1

part |62 pages

Affirming Multiple Dimensions of Diversity in Schools

chapter |15 pages

Religious Diversity, Multiculturalism, and Representation

The Challenge of Facing Islam in the Classroom

chapter |14 pages

Marginalized Sexualities in Public Schools

The Need for Activist Educators

chapter |15 pages

Disrupting Deficit Views

Latina/o and Native American Youth Constructing Cultural, Linguistic, and Learner Identities

chapter |17 pages

Teacher Identities in Transition

Perspectives from ESL International Teachers

part |62 pages

Fostering Collaboration and Partnerships

chapter |15 pages

Policy Intersections in “Real Lives”

Families Experiencing Homelessness and School-Related Matters