15 Big Ideas: The Local Landscape
In this section, we explored the ways that Virginia’s communities have evolved over a relatively brief time frame. We shared how the intersections among research, policy, and practice evolved alongside our changing communities, though perhaps missing the opportunity to best serve those now enrolled and receiving services. We compared two real middle schools that exist in two real Virginia school divisions and the rather different ways that their populations have shifted. We want to leave you with the following considerations as you work to further serve children and families.
Big Ideas
- Changing demographics are not new, but represent continuous changes in Virginia and the larger U.S.
- A lack of awareness or identification of demographic groups often means that the data simply wasn’t collected in the past. Why? Because there is a history of marginalization.
- As we work to best serve families, we must reverse the marginalization and exclusion by creating inclusive spaces in which every family and every child feel seen, heard, and valued.
