This qualitative case study investigates student and school staff perceptions of transitions and changing social dynamics due to a temporary closure of an elementary school undergoing redesign in an inner-city neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 75 students (Kindergarten to Grade 8) and 28 staff who transitioned to two neighbouring schools during the school closure in 2011 and 2012. Students reported changes in their sense of belonging, incidents of bullying and violence, and student–student and student–teacher social dynamics during the transitional period. School staff also reported changing social dynamics among staff and students, the importance of strong leadership and teacher support during transitions and changes to school climate as a result of the transition. Suggestions and recommendations for future transitions associated with school redesign are discussed.
The introduction of mixed-income communities in public housing neighborhoods is a common revitalization strategy in metropolitan areas in North America. This study investigates student and teacher perspectives on safety in a Canadian inner city and marginalized neighborhood undergoing revitalization, alongside the redesign of a local school. The displacement of families and students, tied to housing relocation and student school mobility, resulted in increased concern around bullying, school safety, and displacement of place-based familiarity and social bonds. While most students felt safe at school, they were acutely aware of community level violence, criminal and gang activity in the neighborhood, and racial stereotyping. Students were also generally skeptical that revitalization would address the root causes of violence. The findings support the importance of including children’s voices when planning, implementing, and evaluating policy initiatives that directly affect their lives.
Research has highlighted the important role of school leadership in fostering school-family-community partnerships, but few studies purposefully test causal links between leadership practices, partnerships, and student educational success and family well-being. This explanatory multiple case study analyzed secondary parent focus group and school administrator interview data at two schools in the Toronto-based Model Schools for Inner Cities initiative. Descriptive analyses revealed seven leadership practices administrators used to foster school-family-community partnerships. Explanatory analyses considered how and through what mechanisms of change leaders who share leadership responsibilities with families affect student and family outcomes. A causal link between shared leadership strategies and student and family outcomes was confirmed. Key mechanisms of change included parents’ sense of ownership and feelings of empowerment as well as parents’ perceptions of congruent interests and goals. Further, moderating conditions were identified, most predominantly, the leader’s social justice vision. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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