Bandwidth Recovery For Schools

From the Foreword:

“U.S. schools are not currently designed to work for many marginalized students; they only work for a few students. Indeed, this book is about the future of U.S. public schools, our children and our nation. It is about creating educational environs wherein all children can be successful. And Verschelden reminds us that—as currently constructed—schools are not capable of doing this. Verschelden’s message is one of extreme optimism—a critical need given our current circumstances. All of our children have such tremendous qualities and strengths; we just need to acknowledge them and (enable then to) take advantage of them."

Kofi Lomotey - Western Carolina University

"To solve a problem, you need to ask the right questions. In Bandwidth Recovery for Schools, Cia Verschelden is asking the right questions about the impact of poverty, trauma, racism and social marginalization on school children, their families, and their teachers. Most importantly, she is providing much-needed answers that can help students thrive even when facing adversity. Every educator should read this book!"

Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., Author, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations about Race

"A plethora of books point out the problems public schools currently face, but Verschelden, via a 'bandwidth recovery' blueprint, empowers readers to promote student success within their communities, especially among Black, Latinx, Asian American, and indigenous students who may have greater needs. The first half of the book identifies bandwidth stealers while the latter part identifies bandwidth recovery methods for students, parents, and teachers. A final section presents a case study, a chapter intended specifically for principals and superintendents, and an epilogue that discusses the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommended."

- , Choice

Foreword—Kofi Lomotey
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Part One: Bandwidth Stealers—Students
1) Poverty
2) Belonging Uncertainty
3) Stereotype Threat and Identity Threat
4) Microaggressions and Bullying
5) Sexual Orientation, Gender identity, and Gender Expression
6) Focus on Racism

Part Two: Bandwidth Stealers—Parents and Teachers
7) Parents
8) Teachers

Part Three: Bandwidth Recovery—Students
9) Funds of Knowledge
10) Belonging
11) Certainty
12) Classroom and School Community: Restorative Practice
13) Growth Mind-Set
14) Communication

Part Four: Bandwidth Recovery—Parents and Teachers
15) Parents
16) Teachers

Part Five: Systems View
17) Case Study: Rochester, New York
18) Wisdom for Principals and Superintendents

Conclusion
Epilogue: A New Normal
Appendix: Benefits to Typically Developing Children of Learning Alongside Children with Disabilities
References
About the Author
Index

Cia Verschelden

Cia Verschelden has worked in higher education for over three decades. A residence hall director during her doctoral research, she has also served as a faculty member in social work, sociology, women’s studies, American ethnic studies, and nonviolence studies. She is currently the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Her research and writing related to equity in educational opportunity led to publication of her bestselling book, directed at faculty, student affairs, and administrators in higher education, Bandwidth Recovery: Helping Students Reclaim Cognitive Resources Lost to Poverty, Racism, and Social Marginalization. She has applied the same concept to the preK-12 context in Bandwidth Recovery for Schools: Helping Pre-K-12 Students Reclaim Cognitive Resources Lost to Poverty, Trauma, Racism, and Social Marginalization. Verschelden holds a BS in psychology from Kansas State University, an MSW from the University of Connecticut, and an EdD from Harvard University.