Bestseller!

Leadership for Equity and Excellence
Creating High-Achievement Classrooms, Schools, and Districts

James Joseph Scheurich - Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA
Linda Skrla - Texas A&M University, USA

Foreword by Carl D. Glickman

Other Titles in:
Diversity | Leadership | Superintendents & District Administration

March 2003 | 178 pages | Corwin

"It brings into focus the many aspects of equity and equality in one source. It makes an excellent base for some meaningful discussion of these issues by those working with aspiring educator leaders, as well as those already in the field."
Deborah A. Drugan, Principal
General John J. Stefanik Elementary School, Chicopee, MA

When true equity prevails, all students can be successful students!

Do you dream of success for every student? Do you dream of raising achievement for each and every child to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act? Historically, underserved students—children of color, children from low-income families, English language learners—all deserve to live this dream. Creating an equitable learning environment in which all students thrive is possible—with this guide you can turn dreams into reality for your school.

Leadership for Equity and Excellence encourages school leaders and teachers to develop creative strategies for student advancement using tools such as accountability, equity audits, and proactive redundancy. Scheurich and Skrla demonstrate how deeply held beliefs manifest as biases, preventing educators from unlocking their students' potential. The authors also examine the U.S. education achievement gap, and suggest several concepts for overcoming this gap, such as:

Eliminating "can't" from your vocabulary
Using creativity, perseverance, and persistence
Envisioning educators as civil rights workers
Moving beyond harmful, but entrenched, biases
Understanding the cultures and backgrounds of each student

Children of color excelling in school . . . children from low-income homes thriving academically . . . classrooms, communities, and even a nation of people becoming truly equal—this is the living dream of today's educators.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9780761945864	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $39.95	Bookstore Price: $31.96
ISBN: 9781483360751	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $36.00	Bookstore Price: $28.80

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Carl D. Glickman

Foreword

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

1. Working on the Dream

What We Will Cover in the Book

2. Learning To Believe the Dream Is Possible

Barriers to Believing

Learning to Believe

Conclusion

3. Standards and Curriculum

Why Use Standards?

The Necessity of Curriculum Alignment

How Allignment of Standards and Curriculum Works in Creating Equitable and Excellent Schools

Conclusion

4. Instruction and Classroom Climate

High Expectations and Respect

Culturally Responsive Teaching

Loving and Caring in the Classroom

Democratic, Collaborative Teaching Environments

Continual Development of Content Expertise

Discipline Problems Are Largely a Function of Inequity, a Lack of Caring, and Weak Instruction

Conclusion

5. Accountability and Appropriate Data Usage

Avoiding the Test Factory Response to Accountability

Using Accountability Positively for Equitable and Excellent Schooling

Conclusion

6. Using Data to Uncover and Erase Systemic Inequities

Applying Equity Audits to Gifted and Talented Program Data

Using Equity Audits on Special Education Data

Using Equity Audits on Discipline

A Process for Addressing Inequities Identified by Equity Audits

Using Equity Audits on Achievement Data and Teacher Quality Data

Conclusion

7. School Leadership and Continuous Improvement

Three Essential Characteristics of Leadership for Equity and Excellence

Sustaining Yourself as a Leader for Equity and Excellence

A Note for Campus and District Leaders on Building Leadership Capacity

A Note to Principals and District Leaders About Assistant Principals

Conclusion

8. Proactive Redundancy

Proactive Redundancy in the Classroom

Proactive Redundancy in Teacher Professional Development

Proactive Redundancy Involving District Support Staff

The Importance of Proactive Redundancy in Equitable and Excellent Schools

Conclusion

9. Deep Collaboration with Parents and Community

Conclusion

10. The Final Call: Working on the Dream Each Day in Every Way

What We See in the Future

Final Words, the Final Call

References

Index

Deborah A. Drugan, Principal

General John J. Stefanik Elementary School, Chicopee, MA

Key features

Equity is a perennial topic, but with the changing demographics of the U.S., the topic is receiving tremendous attention and fast becoming a "hot topic."
The Bush administration is focusing on accountability, as well as the field of education, and the accountability framework for this book support that focus.
Both authors have been exceptionally visible in this area, presenting frequently at UCEA, AERA, NCPEA, AND AASA, and have published several journal articles leading up to this book (including a guest-edited volume of EUS). I began discussing the project with them almost three years ago.
Only equity book to take a districtwide approach, with a concentrated focus on accountability and achievement.
Unique author-created Equity and Excellence Audit tool is included.