Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools

By Curtis Linton and Glenn E. Singleton

Book Overview

"Glenn Singleton and Curtis Linton have offered us an important book that provides us with empirical data and well-constructed exercises to help us think through the ways that race affects our lives and our professional practices. My sincere desire is that after you have had an opportunity to read this volume you will, indeed, engage in some courageous conversations about race."
-Gloria Ladson-Billings, Professor
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Author, The Dreamkeepers

". . . challenges educators to talk in honest and open ways about race and provides various tools to stimulate and inform the conversation. Singleton and Linton remind us that the achievement gap will not be eliminated until we learn to talk about race in ways that build bridges of understanding that lead to effective action."
-Dennis Sparks, Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

Deepen your understanding of racial factors in academic performance and discover new strategies for closing the achievement gap

Educators are acutely aware of the statistical gaps in achievement between different racial groups. Considering the rapidly changing racial composition of student populations, how can educators reach a level of cultural proficiency necessary to eliminate this disparity?

Examining the achievement gap through the prism of race, this comprehensive text explains the need for candid, courageous conversations about race so that educators may understand why performance inequity persists, and learn how they can develop a curriculum that promotes true academic parity. To help guide policy analysis and instructional reform, the authors present a systemwide plan for transforming schools and districts.

Practical features of this book include:

Implementation exercises Prompts, language, and tools that support profound discussion Activities and checklists for administrators Action steps for creating an equity team

Only when educators have established both a language and a process for addressing the intersection of race and achievement, will they be able to restructure their schools in ways which improve student performance and fulfill the promise that every child has a right to learn regardless of their race, culture, or class.
See Facilitator′s Guide to Courageous Conversations About Race

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761988777
• ISBN13: 9780761988779
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Corwin
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.8" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Graduate Student Recommends Courageous Conversations

Singleton and Linton impart guided wisdom for the courageous captains who navigate the waters of racism in the sea of school reform. They aid school leaders in the quest for achieving the goals of narrowing the racial divide of achievement, heightening racial consciousness, and ensuring equity. School leaders will find this to be an indispensable handbook for discussing race, dealing with racial issues, and establishing a common language in a professional and productive atmosphere. The authors' diverse backgrounds provide the reader and practitioner with six conditions that form the basis for antiracist leadership: getting personal; keeping the focus on race; engaging multiple racial perspectives; fostering interracial dialogue in a safe environment; establishing a common language around race; and discussing aspects of whiteness. Singleton and Linton provide samples of racial histories and provide school leaders with the tools to realize their visions of equity and closing the achievement gap. Self-examination, personalized racial histories, and the intentional acts of persistence, practice, and passion will lead school leaders on a journey towards engaging in Courageous Conversations About Race. This has been the "pink elephant" that many avoid acknowledging in numerous staff lounges, school board meetings, and classrooms for so long. The authors guide us towards opening our collective eyes, touching, and unpacking the "pink elephant.

Truly Needed

Singleton has managed to present an incendiary topic in such a way that is palatable and astounding. "Courageous Conversations" creates a great outlet for discussion, and provides great opportunities for educators to actually be the student. It was a pleasure to read.

Courageous Conversations About Race

This is an outstanding book that every educator should read. It sheds light on one of the most serious problems in our society and in our schools and provides the impetus for action.

Very Important and much needed

WOW! I was fortunate to work with Glenn Singleton as he brought "Courageous Conversations" to my school district. His method of getting all of us to reflect on what we bring to the table is invaluable. When we are able to look at what race means to us and learn to 'listen" to other peoples stories we are able to grow. Get this book, it's life changing and life affirming.

Truly a courageous book!

This is truly a courageous book! Richard Hernstein first broke Political Correctness's stranglehold on the discussion of race and educational achievement with his book The Bell Curve, and though that groundbreaking book was meticulously researched, the author suffered a hail of mindless political-inspired assaults. Now, the authors of this book have built on Hernstein's work, calling for meaningful dialogue on what changes need to be made to the American educational establishment to provide meaningful results for non-whites. If you care about the future of America, then read The Bell Curve and Courageous Conversations about Race!