Leading for Refugees and Newcomers

A collection of case studies from K–12 schools that show the many ways in which school leaders and practitioners can support newcomer students

In Leading for Refugees and Newcomers, editors Emily R. Crawford, Bryan Mann, Meredith Bittel, and Ryan Rumpf present a series of vividly-drawn, real-world case studies that illustrate how K–12 schools can effectively support their vulnerable populations of immigrant, migrant, and refugee students in a time when shifting immigration policy foments fear and uncertainty. Each case underscores how school leadership holds a critical position for helping transition newcomer students and families into US public schools and communities.

This rich and timely collection assists K–12 educational leaders and practitioners in addressing the social, cultural, and educational obstacles that these newcomer students and their families face. The authors use case studies that cover three key areas―within-school and classroom considerations; policy and administration concerns; and engagement of school partners, communities, and families―along with related analyses and questions for discussion and reflection to prepare practitioners to meet the unique needs of newcomer students. They provide essential insights into issues such as legal background, best practices for linguistic education and building student-teacher relationships, as well as suggestions for resources and networks that can help.

Through ethical, research-based, and equity-minded strategies and actions, this book prepares educators and educational leaders to deliver high-quality education that can shape the well-being and success of newcomer students.

Emily R. Crawford is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri. Bryan Mann is an associate professor and founding director of the Center for Geography of Education Policy at the University of Kansas. Meredith Bittel is a PhD candidate in social and cultural studies in education within the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Kansas. Ryan Rumpf is an educational leader whose work focuses on meaningful structures and systems for multilingual learners.