The urbanization of suburban schools

School Administrator, May, 2004 by Marc F. Bernstein

The ratio of students to guidance counselors can be reduced from 400:1 to 300:1. Schools can reach out to parents who may not be comfortable contacting school staff members. And schools need to better track the educational records of incoming students to identify their learning needs early on.

In these and similar ways, suburban schools not only can recognize their changing student populations, they can modify school structures and teaching practices to address the associated changes. Greater diversity can and should be a catalyst for renewed focus on students as individuals.

Marc Bernstein is superintendent of the Valley Stream Central High School District, One Kent Read, Valley Stream, NY 11580. E-mail: bernstem@vschsd.org