Educational Administration in a Pluralistic Society

Book excerpt: In this bold, provocative supplemental text for the field of educational administration, Colleen Capper and contributors challenge administrators, policymakers, practitioners, and communities to confront the realities of schools and students in a pluralistic society. The book examines recent educational initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of students and staff from traditionally underrepresented groups, marginalized on the basis of race, language, gender, sexual orientation, social class, or disability. Each chapter critically reviews the literature and research to probe the current characteristics of a nondominant group, including such information as its demographic characteristics, its role in school reform, its representation in organizational theory and behavior, its presence within curriculum and instruction, and its relationship with the school-as-community. Capper argues for the adoption of a multiparadigmatic framework from which to approach educational leadership for today's schools. Book jacket.