Community Characteristics : Understanding The Context

In the article “Fremont high school”, Jonathan Kozol describes how the inability to provide the needed funding and address the necessities of minority children is preventing students from functioning properly at school. He talks to Meriya, a student who expresses her disgust on the unequal consideration given to urban and suburban schools. She and her classmates undergo physical and personal embarrassments. Kozol states that the average ninth grade student reads at fourth or fifth grade level while a third read at third grade level or below. Although academic problems are the main factor for low grades, students deal with other factors every day. For example, School bathrooms are unsanitary, air condition does not work, classrooms have limited

Education is an integral part of society, School helps children learn social norms as well as teach them to be successful adults. The school systems in United States, however are failing their students. In the world as a whole, the United States is quickly falling behind other countries in important math and reading scores. The United States ranked thirtieth in math on a global scale and twentieth in literacy. This is even more true in more urban, lower socio-economic areas in the United States. In West Trenton Central High School was only 83% proficiency in literacy and only 49% of the students were proficient in math. These school have lower test scores and high dropout rates. Many of these students come from minority backgrounds and are often form low income families. There are many issues surrounding these urban schools. There is a severe lack of proper funding in these districts, and much of the money they do receive is sanctioned for non-crucial things. Schools also need a certain level of individualization with their students, and in many urban classes, this simply does not happen. While there are many factors affecting the low performance of urban schools, the lack of proper funding and distribution of funds, the cultural divide between teachers and students in urban districts, along with the lack of individualization in urban classrooms are crucial factors to explain the poor performance in these districts. Through a process of teacher lead budget committees and

(43) Schools give one the time and materials to achieve all what one desire in life. (43) In the same way, I would challenge the students to leverage their energy and time to become the best they can be in their life. (43)

This combined with the achievement related goals and social values become the basis of the schools mission statement.

The ethos, mission, aims and values of a school is normally based on the beliefs and feelings of a school and can be felt in the school’s atmosphere, They should be recognizable when entering the school environment as it should be part of the school’s everyday activities and part of the daily practice of both staff and pupils. School policies are in place to ensure that children are at the centre of everything, reward systems to celebrate achievement in both academic and non-academic areas. There is a school council where pupils’ voices are heard and they can make positive changes to the school, this gives them a sense of pride in the school and enhances the positive atmosphere. Assemblies are led in a way and the school works together .The school has strong links with the local vicar and church family. Through the church, the

This document is the Strategic Diversity Plan for the Houston R-I School District. This plan is a 5-year plan designed to help our school district meet the diverse needs of all students. It is our goal to have a school district that is embracive, supportive, and respectful of individual differences. The Houston R-I School District is focused on and committed to providing opportunities for our school and community to work together to develop a pluralistic relationship that supports all students socially, emotionally, and academically. We will strive to be a school

“When we can predict how well students will do in school by looking at their zip code, we know we have a serious systemic problem” (Gloria Ladson-Billings 20). When we are able to forecast how a child will perform by where the child resides, then how can we say that every child is receiving quality education. The unsuccessful educational system infused into the United States is affecting the majority of minorities. In the United States students due to their race and social class, suffer from underfunded public schools, inexperienced teachers, and housing segregation, which in turn inhibit their opportunity to succeed through education. These difficulties plaque students from the very beginning of their public school experience and follow them throughout their academic life. There are a few solutions to these issues but they have to be implemented and enforced with a slow integration.

Classrooms are becoming more diverse than they were several decades ago because so many people are migrating from their country of origin to seek for better living opportunities, in search of a safe place and because the United States of America is a super power. Therefore political, economic, and social-cultural reasons are the causes of migration which results in families remaining in the country causing classrooms today to be more diverse than they were decades ago thereby rapidly changing the demography of the United States and its classroom (Vacca et al, 2014, p. 62). To confirm this point for instance, at my school, there are a total of 354 students and the percentage of Hispanics: 41.5%, Blacks: 40.1%, Whites: 13.6%, Multicultural: 3.7%, other: 1.2%, Asians: 0.9%. Students from these different cultural backgrounds have different values, attitudes and experiences.

Changing demographics might impact children and the way they will learn. Children learn and start to develop a sense of the world at an early age. How does a center meet the needs of these new families when they come from a demographic where those households were the norm at their center. Children and families rely on the facilities to create and welcome their diversity. Centers and Schools are realizing that demographic trends are changing and that working together with families in creating a welcoming environment in order to embrace their diversity to protect the children’s well-being.

I believe the school endeavours to provide as much variety of opportunity as possible to allow each child to find something they are good at. The mission and aims show that the school recognises the diverse nature of its children and families, and their individual faiths, cultures and abilities and encourages its

Understanding a community is essential when planning for instruction. My current placement is at Kofa High School which is a located in an urban community –Yuma, Arizona- with an estimated population of 93,000 people. It is fundamental to recognize that Yuma’s population mostly consists of Hispanic and White people. Although English is mostly spoken in this area, Spanish is commonly heard in the community due to the high Hispanic population.

Measuring and trying to improve campus climate can be difficult and sometimes frustrating. There are many different facets, but when the media reports school leaders in a negative light, the school’s image is affected within the school and the local community. Educational leaders can listen to what people are saying. Some people think there isn't a problem and others feel they are not valued and respected. Cultural proficiency becomes a priority in addressing the concerns of a diverse student population. This can prompt a review of school climate (Developing a Positive School Climate, 2009).

As an educational leader, I must have a vision and mission statement for the school that is known by the staff, students, and parents. The vision will address the needs of the students academically, emotionally, and socially. According to DuFour (1998), “ Those who seek to transform their school into a professional learning community as characterized by an environment fostering mutual cooperation, emotional support, personal growth, and a synergy of efforts.” The leader must implement a plan that will cultivate the success of all students. The mission will speak to the direction of the school community stating what the desire goals are. The building leader will lead by example. High expectations will be communicated and encourage by staff and students. The educational leader of a school must develop a culture of team work to create a climate that is student friendly. The vision mission and goals of the leader should be transparent. The establishment of common goals is the first step. Without common goals, sustainable progress will be impossible and thus everyone will have lower expectations. The students, parents, and staff should be commented to the goals of every child reaching their full academic potential. The school environment should speak to goal setting and high expectations for all students and staff.

The diverse population encompassing our schools today are vast. The demographics of our nation are ever changing. Our individual states are having their dynamics altered as migration happens and change becomes the norm. Our counties and cities are evolving as well. Everywhere we look change is happening. We can see this by looking around, however we can justify our thoughts and feelings of change by looking at the cencus and changes in numbers within different populations.

The vision of the school is to work collaboratively with parents to provide a safe learning environment that fosters academic achievement through intellectual, social, emotional growth and development to reach the highest potential for each student.