Poverty Is NOT a Learning Disability: Equalizing Opportunities for Low SES Students

by Tish Howard, Sandy Grogan Dresser, Dennis R. Dunklee

Overview

Children of low socioeconomic status often enter school with poor skills, leading them to be misidentified as learning disabled. Educators in Grades K–12 can allocate resources for special education services more effectively and meet the needs of low SES students by preventing students from being placed in the wrong program and by providing readiness supports.

Offering an in-depth look at schools that have realized effective results in remarkable time frames, the authors challenge educators and parents to consider how low expectations can affect student achievement—and emphasize optimism as a necessary tenet of schools' day-to-day teaching/learning programs and school-community relationships. This resource provides:

Training resources for teaching low SES students
Assessment tools for identifying learning needs
Strategies for building relationships of trust and collaboration throughout the school community
Data charts that illustrate the increase in student achievement from schoolwide initiatives
A bibliography and glossary of pertinent research and terminology

With these strategies and tools, schools can meet the developmental and environmental needs of their most vulnerable students and watch student achievement and confidence soar!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629145631
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	01/27/2015
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Tish Howard has twenty years of experience as an educator working with children and parents in low SES schools. She has been recognized by the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development for development of positive school climate. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Sandy Grogan Dresser is a human resources management consultant. She was a public school teacher and administrator for twelve years and lives in Reston, Virginia.

Dennis R. Dunklee is professor emeritus in the Education Leadership Department in the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
1. The Changing Realities of America's Public Education: Foundational Facts and Implications
Diversity
Poverty
School Readiness
Lack of Parent Involvement
Deficit Perceptions
Special Education and NCLB
Summary
2. The Unfortunate Link Between Low Socioeconomic Status and Learning Disabilities
Understanding Learning Disabilities
Poverty Is Not a Learning Disability
Educators' Lack of Understanding of Poverty
Teachers' Role in Learning Disability Referrals
The Cost of Misidentifying Children as Learning Disabled
Summary
3. Teaching Strategies and Techniques Proven to Work With Low SES Children
Four Teaching Strategies That Work
Creating a Positive Climate for Instruction
Summary
4. The Importance of Strong School-Home Relationships in Educating Low SES Children
The Importance of Parent Involvement
The Importance of Home-Based Involvement
The Importance of School Climate
Meeting the Challenges Presented by Low SES Neighborhoods
Embracing Cultural Diversity
Summary
5. How Strong School-Business Relationships Can Benefit Low SES Students
Creating a Partnership With Structure and Reciprocity
Looking Beyond Dollars in School-Business Partnerships
Recognizing the Partnership Value of Small Local Businesses
Summary
6. The Role Networking Can Play in the Effective Education of Low SES Students
Networking With Central Offices
Networking Beyond the School District
Summary
7. Managing Change Successfully
Why People Resist Change
Strategies to Reduce Resistance to Change and Promote Successful Implementations
Summary
8. Selecting the Right People
Identifying the Characteristics and Qualifications You're Looking For
Assessing Your Faculty and Staff's Strengths and Weaknesses to Clarify Your Needs
Communicating Your Needs and Interests to Human Resources
Structuring the Interview Process
Managing the Interview and Selection Process
Summary
9. Identifying the Core and Individual Competencies That Promote the Most Successful Learning Environment
What We Mean by Competencies
Identifying Core School and Individual Competencies That Promote Student Success
Summary
10. Identifying Expectations and Managing Performance
Some Basic Assumptions
Communicating Your Expectations
Managing Performance Around Your Expectations
Providing Constructive Feedback
Summary
11. A Proven Approach to Improving Educational Opportunities for Low SES Children
Professional Climate
Behavioral Climate
Community Climate
Instructional Practices
Summary
12. Summary and Conclusions
Being the Leader in Your School
Making the Most of an "Ambiguous" Situation
References

Editorial Reviews

"This book is more than well-researched theory. This is a lifelong study in practical experience that proves once again that the value of building relationships within a community is vital to success. "

Daren Berringer

"An excellent book. This book embodies a powerful message that covers all the necessary steps to help transform individual mind-sets regarding poverty and learning disabilities.

Belinda J. Raines

"This book is the perfect guide for those administrators and teachers who are truly interested in equalizing educational opportunities at all levels. "

Rebecca S. Compton

"The issues with special education are rarely addressed because many educators themselves do not feel qualified to tackle the concerns. This book allows the reader to see that there is a need to reform special education and to give a hard look at what we are doing and to begin making a change not only for special education, but for all students, so that as educators we lead them on the road to success. "

Elizabeth Alvarez