Facilitating Culturally Responsive Change: Learning from Intentionally Diverse Public Charter Schools Leaders

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 1:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Culturally Responsive Leadership for Diversity

Abstract

As the U.S. grows more racially and socio-economically diverse, intentionally diverse public charter schools (IDCS) strive to prepare students to participate in and contribute to a more cohesive, multicultural democracy as well as a global, interconnected society. IDCS leaders seek to realize the promise of integration – of students, families and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences learning and working together. Findings from a dissertation research study of IDCS leaders, who completed online surveys and video interviews, reveal that these leaders work in collaboration and community, learn from and leverage tensions and approach change as continuous rather than episodic. As a result, cultural responsiveness is deeply embedded in these schools and all change efforts.

Author

• Karen Michele Drezner, Leveraging Leaders