Exploring the Influence of Community Socioeconomic Class, Location, and Culture on Effective School Linkages for Preschool Students with Disabilities.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Exploring the Influence of Community Socioeconomic Class, Location, and Culture on Effective School Linkages for Preschool Students with Disabilities.
Language: English
Authors: Capper, Colleen A., Wisconsin Univ., Madison. Dept. of Educational Administration.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 41
Publication Date: 1990
Sponsoring Agency: Spencer Foundation, Chicago, IL.
Wisconsin Univ., Madison. Graduate School.
Document Type: Reports - Research
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Administrator Role, American Indians, Disabilities, Disadvantaged Environment, Educational Policy, Educational Practices, Preschool Education, Principals, Rural Education, School Effectiveness, Socioeconomic Influences, Suburban Schools, Urban Education
Geographic Terms: U.S.; Wisconsin
Abstract: This study explored how community socioeconomic class, setting (rural, small-town, suburban, or urban), and culture influence effective school linkages for preschool children with disabilities. The study utilized a model of school success based on effective schools research. The study analyzed data previously reported for four school districts in a midwestern state and an additional site. School districts represented a suburban affluent setting and four economically disadvantaged settings (urban, small town, rural, and a Native American Indian reservation). The investigator observed all classes serving preschool children with disabilities that included in-depth observation of one 3-year-old child per classroom. Analysis indicated that effective school linkages differed among the five communities with some linkages similar and others distinctly different between low and high socioeconomic level communities and between urban/suburban and rural/small-town communities. Some differences followed a continuum from affluent to urban poverty, to small town, to rural, and to Native American communities. Findings were interpreted to suggest that the low socioeconomic level in some communities raised barriers to principal actions typically found in effective schools and that a rural or small town setting further impeded effective strategies. Minimal involvement of principals and low or ambiguous expectations for student achievement characterized poorer and rural schools. (Contains 33 references.) (DB)
Journal Code: RIEJAN1993
Entry Date: 1993
Accession Number: ED348781
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study explored how community socioeconomic class, setting (rural, small-town, suburban, or urban), and culture influence effective school linkages for preschool children with disabilities. The study utilized a model of school success based on effective schools research. The study analyzed data previously reported for four school districts in a midwestern state and an additional site. School districts represented a suburban affluent setting and four economically disadvantaged settings (urban, small town, rural, and a Native American Indian reservation). The investigator observed all classes serving preschool children with disabilities that included in-depth observation of one 3-year-old child per classroom. Analysis indicated that effective school linkages differed among the five communities with some linkages similar and others distinctly different between low and high socioeconomic level communities and between urban/suburban and rural/small-town communities. Some differences followed a continuum from affluent to urban poverty, to small town, to rural, and to Native American communities. Findings were interpreted to suggest that the low socioeconomic level in some communities raised barriers to principal actions typically found in effective schools and that a rural or small town setting further impeded effective strategies. Minimal involvement of principals and low or ambiguous expectations for student achievement characterized poorer and rural schools. (Contains 33 references.) (DB)