School districts throughout the country serve increasingly diverse students. Many districts have implemented initiatives to support these new student populations, but face confusion or resistance as supporting teachers through demographic changes is not as prioritized.
Districts can support teachers during periods of demographic shift with strategies to improve communications with teachers, steps to engage teachers in new student support initiatives, and suggestions to help build and maintain a positive district culture.
Demographic changes at profiled districtsWe contacted administrators at districts that have experienced recent changes to student demographics. All profiled districts began specific initiatives to serve new student populations.
District A
The district serves a refugee resettlement area.
District B
The district serves a growing Hispanic population.
District C
Contacts at the district report they serve an increasing under-represented minority population.
District D
The district serves a refugee resettlement area.
District E
Contacts at the district report that most students are either culturally diverse or an English language learner.
District leadership and directionUse existing research to demonstrate to teachers their potential to impact new student groups. In addition, clearly communicate rationale for changes to reduce push-back and receive more effective feedback—a clear line of communication from the superintendent to teachers is imperative.
To tailor communications, consider creating teams to package information for teachers at each campus. The teams consist of the school principal, the math and English specialists, and select specialist teachers and general education teachers. The team’s goal is to deliver the information to teachers in an actionable and stress-free communication. These teams allow…