Jennifer Armenia

Case Study 6

ISSLC Standard 6

 

A school administrator is an educational leader who has the knowledge and skills to promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural contexts.

 

Questions:

 

1) How does the principal respond to changing demographics in a school?

2) What can an administrator do to assist teachers when disadvantaged students are placed in their classes?

 

Description of Situation:

 

            In a school that is set in a very affluent area, the last few years disadvantaged students have begun to move into a nearby trailer park.  This caused the population of the school to change and increased the number of Hispanic and low achieving students in the school.  This change was good because it gave some diversity to the school which had very few students other than Caucasians.  She also hired a teacher who spoke Spanish.  This provided some assistance when parents didn’t speak English came to school and there was not a translator present.   Many teachers have had limited experience with low achieving students and didn’t know strategies to help all the Hispanic students, many of who couldn’t understand what the teacher was saying.  In response to this change in demographics of the school, staff development on differentiation was used to help teachers learn how to meet the needs of the lower students while still challenging the high and middle students.  Another response to this change in demographics was to purchase Study Dog, a web-based program, to help target what skills children needed.  Media Center funds were also used to purchase books in Spanish for students who could read in Spanish but not English. 

 

Answers to Questions:

1)      In this case the principal responded to the situation by looking at the positive, the added diversity to the school.  She also hired a Spanish speaking teacher to assist in communication if an emergency should arise or a parent came in to register a child. 

2)      In order to support the teachers, there staff development on differentiation was provided for teachers in order to help teachers meet the needs of all their students.  Study dog was also purchased for low achieving students in order to help target specific skills students needed to work on.

 

Evaluation of Case Study:

 

            The level of performance in this case would be proficient.  The principal knew that there was a need for some support with the change of demographics and provided staff development on differentiation.  A computer program was also purchased to support teachers in helping low achieving students.  The principal also hired a Spanish speaking teacher to help with communication if the need would arise.  It is evident that the principal knows there is a need of support and assistance with the change of demographics in the school and a few programs have been implemented and some training has been done to assist teachers in educating these students.  I think there needs to be additional programs to help these students be successful.  Perhaps providing an after school tutoring session for struggling students would be a program that could be started to respond to the change in demographics.  I think it is also important to acknowledge the different cultures that are in the school this could be done thorough a family night based on cultures that are represented in the school.  This not only takes an opportunity to have a family night at school and involve parents in the schools but it provides an opportunity for students to learn about others’ backgrounds and cultures, something they may not do during the school day.