One Door at a Time

Michael Gary, Jr., Ph.D., serves as the Chief of Staff at Concentric Educational Solutions, bringing over 20 years of extensive experience in K-12 and higher education student support. His expertise lies in strategic program development and optimizing operational efficiency, enabling educational institutions to enhance their support systems and drive student success.David L. Heiber, Sr. Ed.D., is the Founder and CEO of Concentric Educational Solutions, an organization dedicated to identifying and removing the barriers impacting students. He has conducted over 100,000 home visits throughout the United States. He has 25 years of experience in K-12 education as a teacher, administrator, and executive. As CEO, Concentric received the largest Series A funding for a Black-Owned Company in the history of Maryland. He has turned death, grief, and incarceration into redemption and is committed to revolutionizing education for underserved students.Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D., is a professor at Howard University, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Negro Education and chief of research for Concentric Educational Solutions. Dr. Toldson is a leading voice in addressing educational disparities, with a focus on advancing equity and excellence in education for underrepresented communities.

• ForewordMolefi Kete AsanteAcknowledgementsList of FiguresPART 1: Setting the Stage1 Introduction: The Journey of Concentric1 The Genesis of Concentricity: An Afrocentric Perspective on Education2 The Chasm between Intention and Impact: A Glimpse behind the Facade3 Falling through the Cracks: The Banita Jacks Tragedy4 Dismantling Assumptions: Questioning the Status Quo in Student Support5 The Transformative Power of the Doorstep6 A Radical Reorientation: Placing Students and Families at the Center7 The Genesis of Concentric: A Vision Rooted in Service, Not Profit8 Expanding the Circle of Support: From Classroom to Community9 Drawing Inspiration: The Harlem Children’s Zone as a Model10 Addressing the Leadership Void: A Systemic Failure in Preparation11 The Mechanics of Meaning: How Concentric Operationalizes Student Support12 The Professional Student Advocate13 The Concentric Approach: A Framework for Student Success14 The Power of Neutrality and Preparation: A Foundation for Authentic Connection15 Reflective Questions2 Understanding the Landscape: How We See the School System1 Introduction: Framing the Perspective2 A View from Above (School Administration’s Perspective)3 A View from Below (Parents’ Perspective)4 The Intersection of Two Realities5 Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Solutions6 Reflective QuestionsPART 2: The Core Problems3 The Complexities of Student, Family and Community Engagement1 The Goal: Collaborative School-Family Partnerships2 Types of Parent/Family Involvement3 Breaking Down Barriers: The Challenges to Family-School Partnerships4 Bridging the Expectation Gap: Understanding School and Family Perspectives5 A Journey through Three Transformative Frameworks6 Charting the Path Forward: From Research to Reality7 Reflective Questions4 Attendance and the Impact of Chronic Absenteeism1 The Evolution of Understanding School Attendance2 Redefining School Absence: Beyond Numbers to Understanding3 The Hidden Crisis in Education: Impact of Chronic Absenteeism4 The Impact Cascade: The Wide-Reaching Effects of Chronic Absence5 When Systems Fail: The Human Cost of Institutional Deafness6 The Afrocentric Solution: Reimagining Educational Centers7 Bringing It All Together: The Path Forward8 Reflective Questions5 The Opportunity Gap: Factors beyond the Classroom1 Reimagining Educational Equity: Understanding the Opportunity Gap2 Beyond the Reading “Crisis”: Understanding Systemic Barriers to Literacy3 Beyond Numbers: Mathematical Opportunity Gaps4 Educational Inequity through Systems Thinking5 Beyond the Numbers: A Call to Action for Educational Justice6 Reflective Questions6 Beyond Blame: Forging New Paths in School-Family Relationships1 Breaking Down Walls between Schools and Families2 Contributing Factor 1: The Blame Game3 Contributing Factor 2: Rethinking Where Learning Partnerships Happen4 Contributing Factor 3: When Learning Comes Home5 Contributing Factor 4: Navigating the Parent-Educator Knowledge Gap6 Contributing Factor 5: Forced Choices between Survival and Supporting Education7 The Impact on Children: Beyond the Classroom Walls8 Contributing Factor 6 – The Ghosts of Education Past: Generational School Trauma9 A Bridge across Time: Forging New Paths in School-Family Partnerships10 Reflective QuestionsPART 3: The Solutions7 Shifting the Mindset: Bureaucracy and the Need for Systemic Change1 Introduction: The Limits of Current Paradigms2 The Problems Inherent in Bureaucratic Systems3 Reimagining Systems: Shifting the Focus4 Reframing Support: Beyond Traditional Approaches5 Conclusion: A Call to Action6 Reflective Questions8 The Importance of Redesigning Structure, Systems, and Practices1 Introduction: Beyond Good Intentions—The Need for a Solid Foundation2 The Foundation: A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Framework3 Essential Elements: Collaboration and Communication4 The Catalyst: The Role of the School Leader5 Conclusion: Designing Schools for Success6 Reflective Questions9 Developing Effective CORE Teams and Operations1 Introduction: The Power of Targeted Support2 Tiered Support Systems: A Framework for Differentiation3 The CORE Team: The Hub of MTSS Implementation4 Collaborative Partnerships: Expanding the Circle of Support5 Data-Driven Decisions: Illuminating the Path Forward6 Conclusion: A Call for Coordinated Action7 Reflective Questions10 Empowering Teachers: Meaningful Professional Development1 Introduction: Beyond the Basics—The Call for Transformative Teacher Preparation2 Context-Specific Preparation: Honoring the Realities of Urban Classrooms3 Key Components of Meaningful Teacher Professional Development4 Shifting Expectations: From Compliance to Empowerment5 Conclusion: A Call for a Reimagined Approach to Teacher Development6 Reflective Questions11 Embedded Mentoring: Fostering Relationships of Support1 Introduction: The Power of Connection—Moving beyond Traditional Models2 The Limitations of Mentoring: Why After-School Programs Fall Short3 Embedded Mentoring: Integrating Support into the School Day4 The Power of One-on-One Relationships: Deepening the Impact of Mentorship5 The Necessity of a Full-Time Commitment6 Conclusion: A Call to Invest in Relationships7 Reflective Questions12 A Path toward Equitable and Empowering Education1 Reconnecting the Threads2 From Analysis to Action: Embracing Systemic Transformation3 A More Equitable Future: A Call to Collective Action4 Reflective QuestionsAbout the CoverReferencesIndex