It Even Happens in "Good" Schools

Festus E. Obiakor

Other Titles in:
Leadership & Management | Social Justice | Working with Minority Students

August 2001 | 184 pages | Corwin

This book responds to the critical question, `What is a 'good' school?' The author believes that a `good' school is a learning community that maximizes the potential of all of its students whether they are White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American. A school cannot be a `good' school when some of its students are misidentified, misassessed, miscatagorized, misplaced, and misinstructed. We cannot and should not define `good' schools only from the perspective of student performance on standardized tests. A `good' school should take a holistic approach to education: considering each student's needs academically, socially, emotionally, culturally, and globally.

This book is punctuated with case studies, observations, solutions, and key points that should be invaluable in efforts to reform, restructure, and improve schools by translating research, resources, and rhetoric into fundamentally sound, `culturally responsive' professional practice.

Foreword

Preface

About the Author

1. Redefining "Good" Schools

2. Classroom Identifications and Referrals

3. Classroom Assessments and Accountabilities

4. Classroom Labels and Categories

5. Classroom Placements and Inclusions

6. Classroom Instructions and Interventions

7. The Dream School: The Good School

Afterword

References

Index

"A distinct contribution to the field. It opens the eyes and minds of educators everywhere. Dr. Obiakor provides many opportunities for self-reflection, discussion, and learning from one another through actual cases, educating and re-educating teachers to be aware and accepting of students, no matter what their cultural, racial, linguistic, or socioeconomic differences."

Jill F. Bamber M.Ed.

Middle School Teacher, Special Educator, Clayton Academy, Clayton, MO

"An eye-opener for all educators, parents, and those concerned with the education of children, addressing issues of cultural diversity in today’s classrooms. It provides a road map for success."

Eugenia O. Caulcrick-George

Interrelated Special Education Teacher, Dekalb County School System, Decatur, GA

"A well-written book that discusses an issue that has become more and more relevant to today’s schools. It challenges readers to examine themselves and reflect on their personal practices and beliefs. As an administrator in a culturally diverse school district, I highly recommend this book for use with students in schools of education and in courses with teachers currently teaching."

C. Frederick-Stanley

Assistant Principal, Maryland Avenue School, Milwaukee, WI

"I find a lot of strengths in Dr. Obiakor’s books . . . strengths that will help teachers and administrators revise and implement school curriculum for maximizing the academic potential of students in multicultural schools."

Michael Eskay

Teacher, Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, Chicago, IL