Debunking the Middle-Class Myth

By Eileen Gale Kugler - Foreword by Gary Orfield

This book offers a unique perspective on what every educator, parent, and community leader should know about reaping the rich harvest of our diverse schools. Included are anecdotes from Kugler's personal experience as well as information from 80 interviews with key educators, parents, and students.

Part 1 Foreword by Gary Orfield Part 2 Preface Part 3 Acknowledgments Part 4 Introduction Part 5 PART 1 THE MYTHS THAT POISON OUR THINKING ABOUT DIVERSE SCHOOLS Chapter 6 1 Myth 1: The best School for My Child Is the One with the Highest Standardized Test Scores Chapter 7 2 Myth 2: One Style of School Leadership Will Work in Every School Chapter 8 3 Myth 3: The Best Teachers Prefer Homogeneous Middle-Class Schools Chapter 9 4 Myth 4: Diverse Schools Can't Provide Rigorous Classes Chapter 10 5 Myth 5: Diverse Schools Are Not Safe Chapter 11 6 Myth 6: Family Beliefs and Values Will Be Threatened If We Expose Our Youth to People with Different Perspectives Chapter 12 7 Myth 7: Minority Parents Don't Care about the Education of Their Children Part 13 PART 2 THE REALITIES OF DIVERSE SCHOOLS AND OF OUR SOCIETY Chapter 14 8 School Reality 1: Students with Different backgrounds and Experiences Bring New Insights to the Classroom Chapter 15 9 School Reality 2: Students Who Closely Interact with People from Different Backgrounds Learn That Reality Extends beyond Their Own Limited Experiences Chapter 16 10 School Reality 3: Stereotypes and Prejudice Break Down When Students Have Personal Contact with Members of Other Races and Cultures Chapter 17 11 Society Reality 1: Our Youth Must Learn How to Actively Participate in a Diverse National and International Society Chapter 18 12 Society Reality 2: Our Nation's School Population Is Becoming More Diverse, but Our Schools Are Becoming More Segregated Chapter 19 13 What about the Schools Near Me? Part 20 PART 3 HOW TO REAP THE RICH HARVEST OF OUR DIVERSE SCHOOLS Chapter 21 14 What's My Role? Chapter 22 15 School Boards: Leading Their Community Chapter 23 16 Superintendents: Visionaries with a Collaborative Spirit Chapter 24 17 Principals: Doing Whatever It Takes Chapter 25 18 Teachers: Reaching for Every Child Chapter 26 19 Parents: The Critical Connection Chapter 27 20 Students: What It's All About Chapter 28 21 Community Members: Closing the Loop Part 29 Conclusion Part 30 Epilogue Part 31 Bibliography Part 32 About the Author