Leading and Supporting the Education of Refugee Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 56
  In Roundtable Session: Leading for Inclusivity and Diversity

Abstract

The United States is the leading host country for the United Nations’ refugee resettlement program. However, many schools and communities continue to grapple with how to best serve the diverse needs of refugees including psychological, cultural, social, economic, and educational. The purpose of this study was to examine how an elementary school situated in a large urban city, designated by the district for newcomers (i.e., refugee students), facilitates the process of educating refugee students. Interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis was used to find out the administrator practices and contributions in servings the student. The findings show the principal in a positive light as someone supporting positive school experiences of refugee students.

Authors

• Nathern S. Okilwa, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Kerry Haupert