Cross Case Features: Context

Hay Edwards Middle School: Admin Support Context

Positive administrative support for teachers in the school has helped create an environment where teachers are encouraged to share, bring their interests into the classroom, and use their knowledge and expertise to benefit student learning. The principal praises the Asia-related studies done so far, commenting that the NCTA teachers “who have been specially trained in teaching about Asia have had a chance to weave Asia into their instruction in a pretty powerful way. … I think they were able to do some real meaningful activities earlier in the year where they [students] actually got to discover various aspects of Asia at a deeper level than we normally would.” Still, there is little support for Asia at the district level. The curriculum director is strapped for time and resources, and the current financial crisis facing education in the state and the emphasis on student achievement and test scores make it difficult for Asian-related studies to be seen as a high priority. The principal will be leaving next year and there is some question about what will remain and what will change under the new principal.