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Bending the Arc Towards Justice

Equity-Focused Practices for Educational Leaders

Edited by:
Rajni Shankar-Brown, Stetson University

Published 2021

School districts are experiencing increasing economic, racial, ethnic, linguistic, gender and sexuality, cultural diversity across the United States and globally. With increasing diversity and persistent social inequities widening (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019; U.S. Census Data, 2018), educational leaders face immense challenges and must actively work to build an equitable, healthy school climate. Educational leaders are critical for ensuring positive student outcomes and success, but often report feeling inadequately prepared for current challenges (Coalition for Teacher Equality, 2016; Jordan, 2012; Miller, 2013; Mitani, 2018; Papa, 2007). Unfortunately, growing challenges are contributing to high school administrator turnover rates and shortages (Gates et al., 2006; Jacob et al., 2015; Mordechay & Orfield, 2017) as well as perpetuating social inequities among preK-12 students instead of dismantling them (Beckett, 2018; Fuller, 2012; Manna, 2015; Rangel, 2018; Shankar-Brown, 2015). A research study by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) reveals that public schools with higher percentages of low-income students and students of color are more likely to experience administrative and teacher turnover, which compounds equity issues affecting already vulnerable students (Levin and Bradley, 2019).

This book provides educational leaders with a deeper understanding of equity-focused and inclusive leadership practices, while offering intersectional views on social inequalities and stark reminders of the work still ahead. Connecting theory to practice, this book offers needed encouragement and inspiration to both in-service and practicing educational leaders. Rooted in social justice and weaving together diverse voices, this edited volume systematically examines equity-focused PreK-12 and higher education leadership practices. Shankar-Brown (Ed.) calls on educational leaders to collectively rise and mindfully work together to bend the arc toward justice.

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments. A Revolution of Love and Action: Bending the Arc Toward Justice Through Equity-Focused Educational Leadership, Rajni Shankar-Brown. The Power of Educational Leaders to Influence School Climates Towards Equity and Sustainable Change in Bilingual Education, Kristen L. Pratt and Maria Dantas-Whitney. Woke Leadership: Why Critical Race Consciousness Matters for Educational Leaders, Michael W. Quigley and Angela Allie. Leaders Reducing the Impact of Implicit Bias: The Justice for Bias Framework, Gina Laura Gullo. The Privilege of Intersectionality and the Development of Response(able) Educators, Lesliee Antonette, Cynthia Lòpez Elwell, Kimberly Rodriguez, and Rose Vilchez. Interculturally Inclusive Leadership: Transformative Practices for Educational Equity, Thomas Lee Morgan and Keisha Kayon Morgan. Breaking Our Box Thinking: Examining Conceptions and Challenging Practices to Promote Equity, Michael G. Ryan. Equity Audits as Tools for School Improvement: Educators’ Experiences and Perceptions, Andrea L. Beall and Carey E. Andrzejewski. My Brother’s Keeper Male Academy: A Response to Race-Based Inequalities for Males of Color in Urban Schools, Fatima Morrell. High-Achieving Success Models for Administrators Working in High Poverty Schools, Amber Bryant. Making Space for Teachers to Create Social Justice Brave Spaces: Educational Leadership That Supports Social Justice Work in Classrooms, Karyn A. Allee-Herndon and Katherine A. Perrotta. Soft Skills and Entrepreneurial Competencies to Promote Equity in Schools, Michela Floris and Serena Floris. Giving Equity a Voice: Supporting School Administrators With Global Equitable Theories and Practices, Erik Jon Byker, Elizabeth O. Crawford, and Hsuieh Dean Lee. About the Editor. About the Contributors.

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