Improving Educational Outcomes of Vulnerable Children

Book excerpt: Improving Educational Outcomes of Vulnerable Children seeks to examine the plight of vulnerable students in America's educational system. Scholars and practitioners will benefit from this in-depth and unique resource for working with diverse populations of students. The term "vulnerable" is the current construct used to address students who are at-risk of dropping out of school or of being mislabeled because of myriad social-economic, structural, educational, cultural, racial, linguistic, and societal burdens that impinge upon their learning and survival in school environments. These populations can include students in urban areas, students with "special" needs, and/or at-risk students who are disenfranchised, disadvantaged, and disillusioned. While the term "vulnerable" is used most often, authors also address students who are oppressed. In such cases, the authors explore power relations, contexts, and situations that place students in positions of powerlessness. A few of the topics discussed include students with special needs, the scholar identity of black males, parent perspectives, teacher preparation, and using technology in the classroom. A diverse group of contributors offer their expertise in this distinctive text. Authors include scholars and practitioners from fields such as educational leadership, special education, teacher education, educational technology, and educational psychology. Key Features Explores the diversity of students in today's classrooms: culturally, linguistically, and racially different students; students in urban areas; students with "special" needs; and/or at-risk students who are disenfranchised, disadvantaged, and disillusioned.Details multiple strategies for teacher preparation and mentoringDiscusses methods for effective parent-teacher collaboration