The Experiences and Perceptions of School Personnel Educating Newcomer Immigrant Students in a "Low-Incidence" School District in California: Challenges and Opportunities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 10:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Identities and Experiences of Immigrant Students (Table 3)

Abstract

California’s schools are facing significant challenges educating newcomer immigrant students as demonstrated by school dropout rates and academic performance. This case study of one junior high school in a “low-incidence” district whose population of newcomer immigrant students dramatically increased over the course of the past two years examines school administrators,’ teachers,’ and support staff’s experiences working with newcomers, the school-based conditions in which they are working and newcomers are learning, and their perceptions of the factors contributing to successes and challenges in facilitating newcomers’ academic and social wellbeing. This paper highlights some of the key gaps in policy design and implementation and in personnel expertise in effectively responding to an important demographic shift facing schools nationwide and opportunities for improvement.

Author

• Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, University of California - Santa Barbara