Improving Schools for Latinos

Leonard A. Valverde is a second-generation Mexican American whose education career spans 30 years, with experience in teaching and administration from middle school to the university. He is the executive director of the Hispanic Border Leadership Institute and a professor of educational leadership and policy studies at Arizona State University.

• Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Why We Must Start Now to Create New Schools for Mexican Latinos Chapter 3 It Takes an Entire Village Chapter 4 Engendering New Hope, Si se puede! Chapter 5 Building Capacity and Creating Flexibility Chapter 6 Schools as True Places of Learning for Human Growth Chapter 7 Organizing Schools for Latino Learners and Fostering Creativity Chapter 8 Assessment for Human Development and Reinvention Chapter 9 Holding True to Democratic Principles Chapter 10 A Call to Join the Action

Valverde (Arizona State Univ.) draws on his extensive experience working with Latino schools, as well as relevant research on school change, to clearly articulate the components needed for improving schools serving Latino students. The author focuses particularly on those of Mexican descent. After providing a compelling argument for the reasons change is necessary, he presents a thorough discussion of the steps required to bring about the desired changes. Valverde provides specific suggestions for ways to build capacity and create flexibility through continual professional development, the incorporation of technology, and the formation of a variety of partnerships in order to create schools of hopefulness, purpose, and positive results. The extensive list of resources identified in the final chapter is extremely helpful. This book would be a useful tool for the many groups Valverde believes should be included in the process of school improvement for Latinos. These include teachers and parents, as well as school, community, and business leaders. Recommended.