A ^AMatch on Dry Grass: Community Organizing as a Catalyst for School Reform

by Mark R. Warren, Karen L. Mapp

The persistent failure of public schooling in low-income communities constitutes one of our nation's most pressing civil rights and social justice issues. Many school reformers recognize that poverty, racism, and a lack of power held by these communities undermine children's education and development, but few know what to do about it. A Match on Dry Grass argues that community organizing represents a fresh and promising approach to school reform as part of a broader agenda to build power for low-income communities and address the profound social inequalities that affect the education of children. Based on a comprehensive national study, the book presents rich and compelling case studies of prominent organizing efforts in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, San Jose, and the Mississippi Delta. The authors show how organizing groups build the participation and leadership of parents and students so they can become powerful actors in school improvement efforts. They also identify promising ways to overcome divisions and create the collaborations between educators and community residents required for deep and sustainable school reform. Identifying the key processes that create strong connections between schools and communities, Warren, Mapp, and their collaborators show how community organizing builds powerful relationships that lead to the transformational change necessary to advance educational equity and a robust democracy.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Social Justice

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Mark R. Warren is a sociologist concerned with the revitalization of American democratic and community life. He studies efforts to strengthen institutions that anchor inner city communities—churches, schools, and other community-based organizations — and to build broad-based alliances among these institutions and across race and social class. Warren is interested in the development of community leaders through involvement in multiracial political action as well as the outcomes of such efforts in fostering community development, social justice, and school transformation; and is committed to using the results of scholarly research to advance democratic practice.

Warren is the author of several books, including Fire in the Heart: How White Activists Embrace Racial Justice and Dry Bones Rattling: Community Building to Revitalize American Democracy, a book on the Texas/Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s most prominent faith-based community organizing network. He is coeditor of a book on social capital-based strategies for combating poverty called Social Capital and Poor Communities. Warren also published a lead article in the Harvard Educational Review on the relationship between community development and school improvement, entitled “Communities and Schools: A New View of Urban Education Reform.” He currently codirects a large scale study of community organizing efforts at school reform and educational justice in six localities across the country.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very helpful book to read - but I thought that there were a few assumptions that were not really looked at. What has been the true long term effect even on the folks who the authors wrote about who graduated from high school in the last 10 years plus? I know some of these communities and I've not been impressed by the changes that have been wrought. I agree that these programs have helped a few people beat the odds - can we see a way in which the odds could be changed for everyone?

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful collection of case studies that tell stories of how community organizing CAN work - inspiring.

[Jenna Lenhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page is inspirational. I'm excited to wrap this into my future classes.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource for anyone interested in community organizing and school reform. Really well written with great examples, and concrete advice for organizers. This book will get you fired up!