Publisher's Synopsis
This book is about intersections and transitions in educational settings. The cases explore issues of school change, perspective transformation, critical consciousness, professional development and school-community relations. The scenarios in this volume may be used to raise consciousness and stimulate problem solving among educators in rapidly changing school communities. The fictional vignettes, which comprise composites of the author's experiences as a teacher, public school administrator, and university professor for more than 35 years, are intended to promote thinking about the vitality of our school communities and the educational future of our children. The cases are appropriate for examining the challenges that come with any kind of organizational change. Perspective Transformation and Action Research serve as the conceptual frameworks for case analysis. Using this approach with adult learners can promote deconstruction and deep processing of complex and controversial issues that show up in schools every day. Especially designed for educators in public schools, these cases will create cognitive dissonance and entice participants to search for alternative solutions to some of the tough dilemmas that confront both teachers and administrators, parents and students in these challenging times. The book is suitable for use in a range of professional development settings. The fourteen cases may serve as a supplement in college courses on teacher preparation, school administration, educational leadership, and school-community relations. Case analysis formats are appropriate for inservice education, small-group discussions, professional workshops, and school/community collaborations, as well as other training situations.
