Public Education in Turbulent Times : Innovative Strategies for Leadership and Learning

Public Education in Turbulent Times communicates a bold vision for the future of education, addressing the evolving purpose of American public education and the structural innovations schools are using to meet the needs of a rapidly transforming world. Highlighting key challenges that emerged during the immense economic and social disruptions of recent years, the book leverages case studies of four unique school districts where school communities overcame concerns high in the public consciousness – trauma, danger, economic inequality, and racial injustice. These obstacles have hampered efforts to reclaim lost learning opportunities that could define the educational experiences of a generation of students. If educators revert to business as usual, they risk dismissing essential lessons from resilient schools that thrived in the chaos of a global pandemic and its fallout. This book provides rich insights to refocus readers’ attention on achieving a more equitable and safe education system for the future. Foreword Margaret Spellings Arne Duncan Contents About the Authors Part I: Looking Back to Look Ahead Chapter 1: Introduction Transformation Requires Vulnerability Political Purpose Social Purpose Economic Purpose Motivating Factors for the Authors Dr. Faiza Jamil: Tales of Transformative Teachers Dr. Javaid Siddiqi: Lessons in Leadership Building Bridges in Our Work References Chapter 2: Giving Voice to the Challenges The Complex Challenges of 2020 The COVID-19 Pandemic The Economic Recession The Racial Reckoning Bringing the Stories to Light The Threads that Connect Us Broader Purpose of School Equity and Access Teacher Pipeline Leadership Philosophy Community Resources Communication District Readiness Conclusion References Part II: Stories of Education in Trying Times Chapter 3: Education in a Time of Trauma: A Story of Resilience The District Context of the Bronx Understanding the District Structure The Evolving Trauma Experience Generations of Trauma and Resilience The Moving Target of Pandemic Trauma Adapting to Trauma with Resilient Responses Leveraging Community Assets Psychological Safety Democratic Communication Practices Socially Responsible Decision-Making Lessons Learned from the Bronx Connect to Community Relate and Represent Think Developmentally References Chapter 4: Education in a Time of Danger: A Story of Choice The District Context of Lubbock Understanding the District Structure The Evolving Experience of Danger A History of Danger and Thriving The Moving Target of Pandemic Danger Addressing School Danger Through Choice Leading Through the Political Noise Making Unpopular Decisions for Popular Outcomes Communicating the Danger to Inform Choice Lessons Learned from Lubbock Leave Politics at the Door Communicate Facts to Support Choice Know Your Priorities References Chapter 5: Education in a Time of Need: A Story of Community The District Context of Los Angeles Understanding the District Structure The Evolving Experience of Need Historical Experiences of Economic Inequality Meeting Need with Community Cultural Wealth The Evolving Needs Created by 2020 Immediate Needs at the Onset Responding to the Changing Needs and Concerns Lessons Learned from the LAUSD and Cudahy Consider All Forms of Wealth Share Responsibility for Educating All Invest in Homegrown Talent References Chapter 6: Education in a Time of Change: A Story of Justice The District Context of Minneapolis Understanding the District Structure The Evolving Experience of Structural Inequalities Challenging Inequality Through Just Policy Comprehensive District Design Empowered Implementation of Change Lessons Learned from Minneapolis Invest in a Brighter Future Creat Accountability Empower Schools to Empower Students References Part III: On Reimagining Education Chapter 7: The Circle Model Adapting the Conversation to the Times The Purpose of School Influences of School Context Innovation in Schools Necessary Structural Change Evolving Roles of School Personnel The Guiding Principles of Progress Innovation Occurs from the Outside-In Thriving Emerges Through Interdependence Complexity Is Valuable in Educational Discourse References Chapter 8: Reimagine Where Schools Fit: Purpose and Context Reaching Consensus on School Purpose Designing Districts for Social Justice Purpose-Driven Assessment Situating Schools in Ecological Systems Full Service Community Schools Finding Innovative Funding Solutions References Chapter 9: Reimagine How Schools Work: Structures and Personnel Planning for Pluralistic Structures Taking the Time to Thrive Time to Recover Learning Time to Master Learning Time to Heal for Learning Establishing Resilient Educator Pipelines Rewarding Excellence to Retain Teachers References Chapter 10: Conclusion: Innovation and Inclusion Leadership and Learning in Communities Collective Responses Beyond the Crisis Future Schools: Places of Inclusion, Safety, and Purpose The Rubber Band: A Final Thought References Index