Unique Challenges in Urban Schools: The Involvement of African American Parents

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This study explores the various ways in which parental involvement can help to increase student academic success. More specifically, this analysis is based on the notions that: 1) parent involvement in inner city schools present unique challenges that are different from the traditional middle class perspective; 2) there is value in a cooperative approach between parents, teachers, and administrators that places the student at the center of each major discussion and decision; and 3) illustrates that parental involvement is a real perspective and not just rhetorical jargon. Although the focus of this book is in increasing parent involvement in inner city schools, readers must be mindful that the ultimate objective for this work and others like it is the successful educating of all children, so that they graduate from high school, and move into higher education, or into the workforce. Parent involvement by itself will not ensure academic success of children, but, combined with many strategies, including a clear understanding of the differences between an inner city school environment and a middle class school setting, effective teaching, sound and relevant curricula, safe and secure learning environment, and visionary leadership, children attending inner city schools can be just as effective as those in middle class school settings.

Reviews

My goal as a classroom teacher is for parents, the student, and the teacher to work together. A cord of three strands is not easily broken, and students who have this network of support have never failed. This book empowers parents to shape their childs success through parental involvement in a number of practical and nurturing ways. It also encourages schools and teachers to rise to the challenges and pursue the families in our schools. -- Elissa Foertsch, urban educator/teacher, Parent & Family Involvement team leader, Glendale Elementary School, Princeton, Ohio
Unique Challenges in Urban Schoolsadds much to our understanding of the impact ofparental involvement on the outcomesof African American students in urban settings. This carefully crafted and provocative book is a must read for individuals interested in how to impact/improve the state of African American education in our nation's many urban cities. The authors should be commended for such a thought-provoking piece. -- Felicia Toliver, director of cultural diversity, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Steeped in research and told in an anecdotal and engaging style, Unique Challenges is accessible to a wide audience without losing any of its academic punch. Focusing their analysis on the Black community, the authors have begun unraveling one of the most challenging public education issues how urban schools can succeed. In offering solutions, Battle, Jackson, and Turner understand the key element: successful change must begin with parents and community support. -- Burke Miller, associate professor of history, social studies education specialist, Northern Kentucky University

Author Bio

Dr. Carolyn N. Turner is an Educational Consultant who has recently served as a college dean and doctoral admissions director, and who serves on several non-profit boards. Dr. Eric R. Jackson is an Associate Professor History and Geography and Director of the Black World Studies program at Northern Kentucky University, has published in numerous journals in multiple fields, such as Educational Studies, Human Rights Quarterly, the International Journal on World Peace, Ohio Valley History, Multicultural Learning & Teaching: An Online Journal, the Journal of Pan African Studies, and the Indiana Magazine of History. He also has written books on the experience of African Americans in northern Kentucky and African American leaders in the Peace Movement. Currently he is working on an Introduction to Black Studies textbook. Dr. Dorothy E. Battle is an Educational Consultant who works with non-profit organizations on developing and implementing strategies for community problem solving and exploring ways to develop parent-community-school partnership.. She has been a college administrator, and a principal, assistant principal, and teacher in the Cincinnati Public Schools. Dr. Battle has received local and national awards for her work as an educational leader.