Parents worried that their children would be marginalized by their peers at school. They gave examples in which they were singled out because of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, religion, or disabilities. They identified others who were picked out because of their family's income, immigration status, association with the armed services, or attitudes towards medical issues. The parents were assured that changes were in the works to protect marginalized students. They reviewed changes to curricula, instruction, textbooks, disciplinary strategies, counseling techniques, tests, school-sponsored events, school terminology, athletic competitions, restroom policies, dress codes, disability policies, and extracurricular activities. Many parents had confidence in these changes. However, some were skeptical. The two groups argued with each other at local schoolboard meetings. They escalated their arguments after attracting the attention of journalists, scholars, and elected officials.
Gerry Giordano, using an intuitive scholarly style common to his books, addresses a significant and timely educational topic. Anyone who works in schools or prepares those who will work in schools is aware of the increasing presence of marginalized students--those for whom traditional schooling approaches are not necessarily effective. Using case method and counter arguments from enthusiast and skeptic points of view, Giordano explores specific subsets of marginalized students and their parents. Topics include "hot button" issues such as anti-racist curricula, dress codes, student religious expression, cancel culture, urban crime, and educational funding, to name just a few. I recommend Parents and Marginalized Students to any educator or lay person interested in gaining an indepth understanding of issues surrounding the education of marginalized students.--Larry G. Daniel, Ph.D, Dean and professor, College of Education, The University of Texas Permian Basin The content in this book covers a range of areas of interest to parents. It provides information that not only relates to issues parents must address with their children in schools, but also educators working with those children.The case approach is a powerful way to allow readers to discuss and better understand the impact different environmental contexts can have on behaviors, expectations, and societal solutions to unique marginalized situations. The topics are broad, yet specific enough to address most of the societal issues we currently experience, today. This book will be well received and a great addition to the Parents & Education Series.--Janice Seabrooks-Blackmore, Ph.D, Executive Director and profesor, Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities, University of Central Florida - Teaching Academy This book tackles some of most intractable parental dilemmas of our time. Rather than settling these issues to the satisfaction of either side of the debate, the author attempts to portray the complexities surrounding these issues for the reader to resolve. This book is an indispensable read for any parent or grandparent who is attempting to learn about and become active in the single most controversial issue of our time - whose children are these - the state's or the parent's? This book encourages us all to think about our positionalities in all of their complexities.--D. Ray Reutzel, Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow--Center for the School of the Future, former Dean and Professor Emeritus, College of Education, University of Wyoming, recipient of the 2019 William S. Gray Citation of Merit, International Literacy Association
