Blazing New Trails - Connexions

132 CRITICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
issue because he was “too White” to understand. This team member was correct; she was able
to address that issue and changed the whole mindset of the students. He noted that the
students this team member was working with related to her not because she was of the same
ethnic group, but because she understood the underlying issues that these students brought
with them to school.
This same principal acknowledged that there are many cultural stereotypes that need
to be overcome. He gave the following example:
We have many stereotypes that we need to overcome. For example, I do something
special for some of our girls. We have found that the Hispanic families who come
straight from Mexico have the mindset that the girls do not need to finish school. To
try to change that mindset, we provide them with a preventive class that allows them
to talk about sex and self-esteem. By better informing them of the options that they
have, it is our hope that they will break their families’ stereotype and graduate from
school.
Another principal emphasized that educators should understand cultural differences.
According to him, principals should acknowledge, celebrate, and embrace those cultural
differences. All of the principals in this study agreed that all students should be treated with
the same care and respect regardless of culture or race. The only reason for treating students
differently was because of their different learning needs.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
The Hispanic student population in public schools continues to increase while, at the
same time, the achievement gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic students continues to
exist. To close the achievement gap, educational leaders must come together and share best
practices on how to best meet the challenge of educating all students.
For principals to identify ways to better meet the needs of their Hispanic students, the
findings in this study provide them with proven instructional practices from principals in
high- achieving majority Hispanic mid-level schools. Principals in this study elaborated on
effective practices that have allowed them to be successful in educating all of their students.
These effective practices must be student-centered and simple to implement.
Recommendations for practice include the following:
1. Provide staff development that identifies ways for educators to build
relationships with students.
2. Provide staff development that explores cultural understanding.
3. Hire staff with care to ensure that individuals are committed to respect,
understand their students, and hold themselves as well as their students
accountable.
4. Engage students and staff in understanding the legacy of the community
school.
5. Involve faculty and staff in book studies that emphasize best teaching practices
with diverse student populations.
6. Implement and follow through on a schedule that allows principals to meet
with students and staff on a regular basis.