Navigating School Selection 101: A Guide for African American Parents

About the book:

This easy-to-use resource responds to society’s urgent need to better understand the educational system for children of African descent, in particular, and serves as a unique and invaluable companion to the parents determined to identify great-fitting schools for their children. Navigating the School Selection Process 101 not only presents practical tips and techniques for navigating the journey from a cultural perspective but also emboldens parents to ask the hard questions about race and culture regarding their children’s education. The ideas and tactics in the book represent a combination of Dr. Frederick’s more than 25 years of experience as an accomplished university professor, coach, and trainer to teachers and administrators. The book also imparts crucial knowledge garnered from years spent observing traditional and unconventional schools and educational institutions, evaluating best practices.

Navigating the School Selection Process 101 provides tools for understanding how well a school fosters a space that will maximize the potential for a child’s success.

Key Features:

• Historical overview of African-American education
• Techniques for advocating for children in their current school
• Tips on how to understand a child’s unique learning profile • Characteristics of great schools and teachers for African-American students
• Workbook exercises to support parents in goal setting and school choice.

About the author:

Rona Frederick is CEO of Moja Educational Consulting where she leads research and evaluation to facilitate the school admissions process, ensuring that each child gains admission to their best fit independent, parochial, or public school.  As a third generation Washingtonian and an educator for more 25 years, Dr. Frederick offers her clients deep insight into the Washington DC school terrain and the admissions cycle.  Dr. Frederick integrates an exceptional combination of research expertise, K-16 teaching experience and administrative expertise, and culturally responsive practices to address important issues in education from early childhood to adult learning.  She also supports schools, school districts, and nonprofits on continuous program quality improvement using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to advance program outcomes for children, students, teachers, and parents.

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Dr. Frederick has written more than a dozen peer reviewed research articles on culturally responsive teaching and best practice for children of African descent. She was the co-founder of both a charter school and a Saturday School, and for the past 20 years, has been a professor at The Catholic University of America. Currently, she serves as co-facilitator for the Washington DC, Educational Policy and Leadership Program (DC EPFP).

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Dr. Frederick is the 2022 recipient of the Ingrid Merkel Award for Excellence in Teaching issued by The School of Arts and Sciences at The Catholic University of America. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hampton University, a master’s degree in professional studies with a focus on Africana Studies and Evaluation from Cornell University, and a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on teacher education, qualitative research, evaluation, and equity from the University of Maryland, College Park. 

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