School Improvement Inclusion Model for Schools with Changing Demographics: The Impact of Changing Demographics in Schools

Abstract

By 2026, students of color will make up 54% of the school population. The increase of demographically diverse students in our schools requires us to reflect on how we are serving these students, as they enter the doors of our schools. This chapter provides an overview about the implementation of a school inclusion model. The model was based on a wide array of strategies which focused on engaging demographically diverse parents, culturally competent training for school leaders, analyzing school equity data, implemented postsecondary strategies at the elementary and middle schools. An important finding was the 4% drop in teacher absences at the treatment schools. Both teachers and leaders reported significant improvements in terms of workplace satisfaction and positive feelings about their schools. A review of the findings on teachers’ perceptions about inclusion indicated that teachers in the treatment schools had greater job satisfaction than their counterparts. Finally, the accomplishments of this model require more research to insure its viability and its generalizability to schools.