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Poverty Is NOT a Learning Disability
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Poverty Is NOT a Learning Disability
Equalizing Opportunities for Low SES Students

Edited by:


October 2009 | 160 pages | Corwin
This book is designed to improve the education of elementary school children with low school-readiness skills (low SES children) by preventing their misidentification as learning disabled. It is built on the premise that the time and money spent on special education services will be better used if educators focus on the needs of children with low school readiness skills before their deficits become so great that neither intervention nor remediation will work, and before the childrenÆs self perceptions are so badly damaged that they quit trying to succeed and accept failure.Poverty Is NOT a Learning Disability challenges educators and parents to consider how low expectationsùa ôdeficit perceptionöùcan affect a child's achievement and stresses optimism as a central tenet of elementary schoolsÆ day-to-day teaching/learning programs and school-community relationships. The authors emphasize that an attitude of optimism is strongly connected to hope for the future and crucial to providing children with a positive vision of what they can accomplish. This resource also covers how to build trusting relationships throughout the school community, among teachers, administrators, the school staff, and parents.áChildren inevitably endeavor to fit the words, actions, and deeds of those around them into narratives of their own. The authors conveyáhow vitally important it is forámembers of the education community to work togetheráto ensure that youngstersáreceive a view of the future that inspires hope and validates the potential of each child.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
1. The Changing Realities of America's Public Education: Foundational Facts and Implications
Diversity

 
Poverty

 
School Readiness

 
Lack of Parent Involvement

 
Deficit Perceptions

 
Special Education and NCLB

 
Summary

 
 
2. The Unfortunate Link Between Low Socioeconomic Status and Learning Disabilities
Understanding Learning Disabilities

 
Poverty Is Not a Learning Disability

 
Educators' Lack of Understanding of Poverty

 
Teachers' Role in Learning Disability Referrals

 
The Cost of Misidentifying Children as Learning Disabled

 
Summary

 
 
3. Teaching Strategies and Techniques Proven to Work With Low SES Children
Four Teaching Strategies That Work

 
Creating a Positive Climate for Instruction

 
Summary

 
 
4. The Importance of Strong School-Home Relationships in Educating Low SES Children
The Importance of Parent Involvement

 
The Importance of Home-Based Involvement

 
The Importance of School Climate

 
Meeting the Challenges Presented by Low SES Neighborhoods

 
Embracing Cultural Diversity

 
Summary

 
 
5. How Strong School-Business Relationships Can Benefit Low SES Students
Creating a Partnership With Structure and Reciprocity

 
Looking Beyond Dollars in School-Business Partnerships

 
Recognizing the Partnership Value of Small Local Businesses

 
Summary

 
 
6. The Role Networking Can Play in the Effective Education of Low SES Students
Networking With Central Offices

 
Networking Beyond the School District

 
Summary

 
 
7. Managing Change Successfully
Why People Resist Change

 
Strategies to Reduce Resistance to Change and Promote Successful Implementations

 
Summary

 
 
8. Selecting the Right People
Identifying the Characteristics and Qualifications You're Looking For

 
Assessing Your Faculty and Staff's Strengths and Weaknesses to Clarify Your Needs

 
Communicating Your Needs and Interests to Human Resources

 
Structuring the Interview Process

 
Managing the Interview and Selection Process

 
Summary

 
 
9. Identifying the Core and Individual Competencies That Promote the Most Successful Learning Environment
What We Mean by Competencies

 
Identifying Core School and Individual Competencies That Promote Student Success

 
Summary

 
 
10. Identifying Expectations and Managing Performance
Some Basic Assumptions

 
Communicating Your Expectations

 
Managing Performance Around Your Expectations

 
Providing Constructive Feedback

 
Summary

 
 
11. A Proven Approach to Improving Educational Opportunities for Low SES Children
Professional Climate

 
Behavioral Climate

 
Community Climate

 
Instructional Practices

 
Summary

 
 
12. Summary and Conclusions
Being the Leader in Your School

 
Making the Most of an "Ambiguous" Situation

 
 
References

"This book is more than well-researched theory. This is a lifelong study in practical experience that proves once again that the value of building relationships within a community is vital to success."

Daren Berringer, Political Consultant
Joe Trippi & Associates

"An excellent book. This book embodies a powerful message that covers all the necessary steps to help transform individual mind-sets regarding poverty and learning disabilities.”

Belinda J. Raines, Principal
Northwestern High School, Detroit, MI

"The issues with special education are rarely addressed because many educators themselves do not feel qualified to tackle the concerns. This book allows the reader to see that there is a need to reform special education and to give a hard look at what we are doing and to begin making a change not only for special education, but for all students, so that as educators we lead them on the road to success."

Elizabeth Alvarez, Assistant Principal
John C. Dore Elementary School, Chicago, IL

"This book is the perfect guide for those administrators and teachers who are truly interested in equalizing educational opportunities at all levels."

Rebecca S. Compton, Professor of Elementary Education
East Central University

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

Please contact your Academic Consultant to check inspection copy availability for your course.

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ISBN: 9781412969048
£26.99

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