Introduction - California, especially southern California, is a laboratory for trends in multi-ethnic influences on all institutions, including schools and colleges and universities. Pioneering efforts to improve the quality of education at all levels, while at the same time encountering a continuously changing student body demographic, presents tremendous challenges to school and university leaders. This unit will delineate the current environment, identify the challenges, and discuss strategies for change, both at the k-12 level and through college and university preparation programs and issues. Attention will be paid to a variety of human differences (i.e. gender, SES, sexual orientation, race/ethnic differences, etc.).Diversity is a salient theme, as it is the sub-text for much of the educational change/reform instituted at all levels of educational policy and practice. The underlying assumption is that the perceived failures of the education system stem primarily from the extent which various underserved populations have had limited support within and access to equitable educational opportunities and resources – which result in long-standing underperformance, leakage within the educational pipeline, and limited career and social-class mobility. This class provides a preliminary introduction to the connections between diversity and leadership in urban schools, institutions of higher learning, and other relevant work settings. Unit Learning Goals – when you finish this unit, you will be able to:Describe and discuss the demographics of the student population of the region, and identify key issues facing schools and colleges as they deal with diversity.Propose strategies for change that will address goals of equity and access to quality education, and preparation and professional development of leaders at all levels who will implement change strategiesIdentify and evaluate the opportunities and constraints that leaders at different levels confront while enhancing educational access and support as well as creating equitable educational outcomes.
Questions to be answered before class as you complete the reading assignment:What is your definition of diversity?What are the significant issues which diversity brings to your organization as it seeks to fulfill its mission?What policy changes would assist in addressing these issues?What strategies would you suggest to promote these changes?Discuss the roles of K-12 and higher education institutions in collaborative efforts to address the issues above. Where are needed areas of cooperation? What efforts would achieve the greatest impact?Summary of Key Points:Diversity is a great asset to our communities and regions.At the same time, it presents challenges to institutions to modify their programs and services to be effective.Leadership is essential to guide change, and to address attitudes as well as the content of change.While diversity is important within our local communities and among our variety constituents, diversity can present challenges to institutions when modifying their programs and services in order to be more effective. click for download