Festus E. Obiakor

Floyd D. Beachum

Improving Educational Outcomes of Vulnerable Children seeks to examine the plight of vulnerable students in America's educational system. Scholars and practitioners will benefit from this in-depth and unique resource for working with diverse populations of students. The term "vulnerable" is the current construct used to address students who are at-risk of dropping out of school or of being mislabeled because of myriad social-economic, structural, educational, cultural, racial, linguistic, and societal burdens that impinge upon their learning and survival in school environments. These populations can include students in urban areas, students with "special" needs, and/or at-risk students who are disenfranchised, disadvantaged, and disillusioned. While the term "vulnerable" is used most often, authors also address students who are oppressed. In such cases, the authors explore power relations, contexts, and situations that place students in positions of powerlessness. A few of the topics discussed include students with special needs, the scholar identity of black males, parent perspectives, teacher preparation, and using technology in the classroom. A diverse group of contributors offer their expertise in this distinctive text. Authors include scholars and practitioners from fields such as educational leadership, special education, teacher education, educational technology, and educational psychology. Key Features Explores the diversity of students in today's classrooms: culturally, linguistically, and racially different students; students in urban areas; students with "special" needs; and/or at-risk students who are disenfranchised, disadvantaged, and disillusioned.Details multiple strategies for teacher preparation and mentoringDiscusses methods for effective parent-teacher collaboration

Improving Educational Outcomes of Vulnerable Children

Jeffrey S. Brooks

Terri N. Watson

In this book we considered new territory for educational leadership by looking to music for lessons and inspiration that may inform the next generation of schools leaders. Each chapter focuses on an artist or group whose work serves to refine, extend, and challenge our thinking in regards to educational leadership. You will find a vast array of musical forms of expression analyzed and described by an equally diverse collection of educational leadership scholars and practitioners. There may be some who question the academic appropriateness or relevance of a text such as this one. Our response is that part of our ongoing mission should be to break ourselves out of academic silos and forge meaningful connections between seemingly disparate disciplines. Furthermore, educational leadership stands to gain more by drawing from the arts and specifically musical influences. Finally, music is an obvious part of most of our lives; why not explore the ways in which it impacts us on an academic level and not just a personal level? In sum, we ask that as you read the chapters of this book, you reflect on your own musical tastes and favorite artists.

Floyd D. Beachum

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