Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. School management and organiza    5. School management and organization    6. United States    7. Education / Administration   

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Administration - School Plant Management    3. Aims and objectives    4. Curricula    5. Education    6. Education / Teaching    7. Educational Policy & Reform    8. Educational change    9. School improvement programs    10. Testing & Measurement    11. United States   

Reviews (1)

Develops six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools
Failure Is Not An Option: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement In High-performing Schools is an impressive introduction to enhancing student performance which directly addresses transforming theory into practice and illustrating diverse applications with case studies and vignettes. Failure Is Not An Option develops six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools. Also available in a hardcover edition, Failure Is Not An Option is especially commended to the attention of administrators and faculty responsible for providing primary leadership in developing curriculum and policies for meeting enhanced federal and state standards for individual school and school district criteria under the "no child left behind" education standards for student academic performance levels.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Administration - General    3. Aims & Objectives    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Educational leadership    7. Leadership    8. School improvement programs    9. United States    10. Education / Leadership    11. Organization & management of education   

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Administration    5. Leadership    6. Problem-based learning    7. School administrators    8. School management and organization    9. Study and teaching (Higher)    10. Training of    11. United States    12. Education / Leadership    13. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (4)

An online review by Courtney and Jenny
This book has opened our eyes to many issues we did not think about or explore prior to reading this book.Richard Rothstein does an excellent job pointing out the many contributing factors to the "Black-White Achievement Gap" in America.Even though some of Rothstein's ideas are expressed in other articles and books, these important issues and topics he reiterates only emphasizes the attention that this issues needs.Rothstein addresses that, as a society, we need to do more for students than just a good job of addressing issues and raising questions.The last chapter of his book deals with different ways teachers, educators, parents, and health officials can step in and intervene into children's lives in order to work on closing the achievement gap between lower- and middle-class families.

Well researched defense of public education
I looked to Rothstein's book for a thoroughly documented defense of public education in light of its inability to resolve fundamental inequalities.I was not disappointed but those who seek feasible proposals to remedy the problem will not find it here.The basic solution seems to be to extend the public education system into early childhood.I see a number of problems:1. if we cannot afford the employment of highly paid teaching professionals in K-12, how will we do it for early childhood professionals paid at comparible salaries.2. If the stress on on cognitive skills is problematic, why would such professional status be required anyways. He points out the importance of behavioral/character training but rules out the use of less educated adults in these communities to impart that training.I believe that they will be most effective in training and disciplining the children than a middle class college grad.Moreover, they will provide the intensive coverage needed at the lowest cost.Have the high priced professionals train the aides from the area and then send them to the day-care and other preschool programs to do the early childhood education.In conclusion, the non-sequitars involved in the proposed soluctions do not invalidate the objective summaries of the research and the entirely valid objections to standardized testing as enshrined in the NCLB.I would certainly recommend it for a critical understanding of the issue.Then go to Valerie Lee and Ted Sizer for better solutions.

ASK A SILLY QUESTION ...
Richard Rothstein is no more qualified to advise on education than the new governor of California(who is a body-builder).Theobjective of education is economic self-sufficiency.Getting ahead in life requires connections, not "knowledge."American blacks are denied connections.We allknow why and how.The black-white gap which Rothstein writes aboutis notinformation but access.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education / Teaching    3. Ethnic Studies - General    4. Social Classes    5. Social Science    6. Sociology   

Reviews (2)

Dual Language
As a dual-language elementary teacher it is important that I teach my students the meaning of specific words in the subjects they have to learn in order to get the meaning.This book allows me to concentrate on the meaning, context and usage of words in the different subjects I teach rather than having to look for the words and then do what I described.It has also helped me build a stronger vocabulary and made me a better teacher for my students.

Organized into 11 subject areas and 4 grade-level categories
Building Background Knowledge For Academic Achievement: Research On What Works In Schools by Robert J. Marzano (Senior Scholar, Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning, Aurora, Colorado and Associate Professor, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) discusses how two combined approaches - sustained silent reading and careful study of subject-specific vocabulary terms - can help young adults overcome weaknesses in background knowledge that would otherwise undermine their educational pursuits, from elementary to high school. In addition to the outlined principles for a sustained silent reading program, and effective vocabulary instruction, over 7,923 actual vocabulary terms have been culled for presentation from national standards documents and other publications, organized into 11 subject areas and 4 grade-level categories. A superb home schooling, self-study, or curriculum supplementary guide, highly recommended for parents, educators, tutors, and studious individuals seeking to hone the tools that maximize their comprehension skills.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Administration - General    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Research    6. School supervision    7. Silent reading    8. United States    9. Vocabulary   

Reviews (3)

Great read!
If you like What Great Principals Do Differently you will also appreciate reading Ryan Delaney's Mission Accomplished by Anna T. Erickson.

A Great Read
Sometimes we all have to "recharge" in our professions.I enjoyed the read, as that's exactly what it did for me.I am refreshed and renewed.I am also more "reflective" about my relationships with other professionals in my school.

What Great Principals Do Differently
This is an excellent practical guide for making you a more effective school principal.If you like and live this book, then you will also want to share "What Great Teachers Do Differently"with your teaching staff. Anyone who has heard Todd Whitaker speak will be inspired by his down-to-earth methods and insights that make sense, show respect to students and motivate everyone to do an excellent job. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational leadership    5. School management and organiza    6. School management and organization    7. School principals   

Reviews (1)

The School and Community Relations
My order came right on time!Just like it said that it would.The book was in excellent condition.It was neatly wrapped and packed for safety.I will shop here again in the near future.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Communication in education    3. Community and school    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Philosophy & Social Aspects    7. Public relations    8. Research    9. School Public Relations    10. Schools    11. United States    12. Education / Leadership   

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Reference   

Reviews (1)

What works in Schools
I have been a classroom teacher for 25 years. In that time, I have seen many trends in educational philosophy. Finally, Marzano has written a book that addresses research based methods of instruction that actually are proven to increase student achievement. He addresses three key areas: School-Level Factors, Teacher-Level Factors, Student-Level Factors, and a section on how to implement these factors into classoom instruction. Marzano states,"Thirty-five years of research provides remarkably clear guidance as to the steps schools can take to be highly effective in enhancing student achievement."I have found that the researched based information that Marzano provides about each of these key areas to be invaluable in the instruction of our students. This book is a must read for all serious educators. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Administration - General    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Research    6. School improvement programs    7. Teaching    8. Teaching of specific groups   

Reviews (2)

At last--A Synthesis on Leadership That Models Great Leadership!
Robert Marzano and his colleagues translate the knowledge base on effective school leadership into a clear and precise format applicable to 21st century schools.It is a great gift to both successfuil veterans and aspiring leaders.Students and the nation are better off for this work.Education professors and school board members will use Marzano's meta-analysis to understand and articulate the qualities we need in today's leaders.

Leadership Behavior to Promote Student Academic Achievement
In this book, Robert Marzano, the most effective force in educational reform today, continues his efforts to promote excellence in schools.Here, he and his colleagues turn their attention to defining school leadership behaviors and actions that raise student achievement.They blend practical advice and research to come up with specific steps that school leaders can take to see that students improve academically.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational leadership    5. Leadership    6. School management and organization   

Reviews (9)

A Fine Introduction to the Field
Contrary to some of the other reviews on this page, I found the book to be a helpful and very readable itroduction to the field of educational psychology.No, it is not a definitive and cutting edge expert treatise, but that is not its purpose.It is introducing first year students to the major theories and ideas that have historically shaped educational psychology, and it does so very concisely and thoroughly.Just like an Introduction to Christian History text is not going to delve into the finer points of Crossan's theories about Jesus' death, or a first year Calculus text is not going to stress the use of set theory and formal proofs, so this book serves its purpose best by giving a broad, yet thorough introduction to a very interestig field without confusing students with unecessary details.If you are looking to dive into educational psychology and need a helpful introduction to help guide you, this is a great place to start.Recommended.

Nonplussed by criticisms.
It is notable that the critics of this title have failed to indicate a text that they consider superior. Woolfolk's text is so broad in its scope that the accusation of bias is difficult to sustain. In any case, would be educators would willingly accept recommendations on more up-to-date texts.

Badly dated - be afraid when educators defend this book.
Woolfolk's book reflects educational psychology ca. 1975. She cynically - and selectively - cites references that are much more recent to give this the gloss of being current, but don't be taken in.Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Psychology    5. General   

Reviews (1)

Three Minute Classroom Walk-Through
An effective guide for pinpointing effective classroom instruction.This book also outlines specific strategies for engaging teachers in reflective dialogue that could enhance classroom instruction.A must read for administrators. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Classroom Management    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Observation (Educational metho    6. Observation (Educational method)    7. Reflection (Philosophy)    8. School supervision    9. Teacher-principal relationship    10. Teacher-principal relationships    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    12. Education / Administration    13. Organization & management of education    14. Teaching skills & techniques   

Reviews (1)

Useful
I recommend this book for anyone completing their Administration degree.It is well written and gives great and useful real life situations that are applicable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Educational Administration    5. Educational Supervision    6. Leadership    7. Education / Leadership    8. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (3)

Great for Professional Book Study with Teachers!
I used this book to guide a book study with elementary teachers in a school where I was the principal.All teachers in the study were reading Marzano's Classroom Instruction that works and a couple of us had a copy of this book to bring in additional information and activities to enhance our study. Both books present the "cut to the chase" version of research that many teachers appreciate because of their busy schedules.The books present strategies that have been proven repeatedly to be effective and professionals who have looked carefully at Marzano's work know that it is scholarly work.He has, however, tried to present it in a very down to earth fashion.No high brow research jargon here.Teachers appreciated and learned from the study and the structure and additional information this guide brought to our work together was an significant factor.

Simplstic
Do you like magazine surveys about how effective your marriage is, or if you exercise frequently enough?This book has one for each chapter (rate yourself 1-4), AND has worksheets like the ones you did in grade school as you work to explore "novel" techniques in education!There have to be more thought provoking monographs about the application of research in the classroom.Sanitized statistics, silly stories, a frighteningly short list of references and text that probably does not read beyond the 6th grade level disturbs me.Does Mr. Marzano think that all educators are semi-literate morons?His ideas are not new in the science classroom, and most ideas he covers are reiterations of something old for me. I was required to use this book and its sister textbook for a GRADUATE LEVEL education course.I would recommend NEITHER.

Trite and repetitive
Don't waste your time on this book - there is very little material of any use here.Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Effective teaching    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Learning    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    8. United States   

Reviews (4)

Exceeded my expectations
This book changed the way I design my college level courses in a very effective and enjoyable way. It will give you a lot of insight on the design of courses that will encourage students to continue learning.I also enjoyed all the reference on the results of scientific work that deals with innovative teaching methods. You will love this book.

Detailed ideas applied 2 work equals a new answer.
This book is worth it. I graduated from a graduate program (in education) and this information has increased/expanded my knowledge as to how things must be done in the classroom (when teaching, when testing, and when lecturing). For example, each square of information must be related to the other square of information in order to reach ones point with ones students. Education is about detail. Let this information from this book change the way you see and teach the information you have obtained a degree in. Let it take you to new spheres, or portals of information that were always present in the work that you do, but that you never saw because one lacked the tools in order to open up those worlds. Create beauty in the work that you create (in the quizzes, in the lesson plans, in the rubrics chart, in the surveys, etc.) What you lecture must be from the book, and what you assign for reading must mirror the lecture, and that equals learning.
Creating Significant Learning Experiences
I dropped the grad course I was taking that req'd this book; however, the book itself contains a lot of really terrific ideas and is easily understood. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. College And University Curricula    3. College teaching    4. Curricula    5. Education    6. Education / Teaching    7. Education, Higher    8. Higher    9. Methods Of Instruction And Study In Higher Education    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    11. United States    12. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General    13. Higher & further education    14. Study & learning skills   

Reviews (5)

No Silver Bullet, but . . .
If you want to read a book that combines brief overviews of the work of many well-regarded leaders in the field of education, this book is a good beginning. Those who work in public education and understand the need for re-structuring and re-culturing our schools will appreciate the authors' laser-like focus on student learning through the development of professional learning communities.
Mixed Message
Rarely do I find a collection of essays by multiple authors to be a great book.Too often the prose is uneven and the authors, despite the assertions of the editors, come off as talking at cross purposes.This book is no exception.
On Common Ground
As the processes of school improvement shifts from regulatory compliance to authentic work in schools, it is essential to build a broad understanding of decades of thinking on school reform.This book offers a strong summary of the concepts most likely to bring real change in the only place that matters, the classroom.We have spent decades talking about change and the learning community concept has the potential to be the catalyst of change.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Leadership    4. Professional Development   

Reviews (16)

.So far, so interesting
I love the philospohy behind this book, but Dr. Marshall goes one step further and adds the golden element of classroom testing.When he tells me I will need to use a particular strategy with about 2 % of my students, I feel confidence that this material has truly been tested in real situations.Part of the problem with many discipline programs that aim to address classroom management without rewards, tokens, and such is they often talk down to teachers for using token systems, but offer only theories and clinical data as proof without workable ideas for in the classroom.I am trying out Dr. Marshall's program and will see how far it takes me, but after the first two introductory lessons on the ABCD heirarchy, this weird quiet settled into my room, like the idea of democracy had just sunk into my students heads.Very heady stuff.

No More Class Store or Missed Recess
I purchased this book after an extremely challenging year of behavior problems in first grade. As a teacher who had previous success using rewards (giving plastic money that could be redeemed in a class store) and punishment (taking away recess time), this new class had so many problems that nothing seemed to work! During the summer, I read everything on behavior management I could find in preparation for my new third grade class and found this book while searching the web. Needless to say, this past year was the best year of teaching I've had in my short career of five years. Using the daily class meetings--the students' favorite part of the day--to solve problems and asking disruptive students to tell me "their level," I found that most problems went away quickly and students didn't get resentful of me because they had to reflect on how they were acting. Using the agenda for students to write down issues that bothered them was a great way to deal with tattling. I also linked the system with students who would forget homework. Rather than punish them, I would give them the Level 1 Essay to reflect on why they forgot their homework and what they could try so they could remember it. It worked! I also recommend buying "Positive Discipline in the Classroom" (Nelson) as a companion to this book if you want more step-by-step instructions for the classroom meeting. It picks up where Dr. Marshall's book leaves off regarding class meetings, especially on how to introduce it at the beginning of the year. One more thing: parents LOVE this system and will love you for using it!

A Civilized Alternative
Marshall makes a compelling case for giving children tools to evaluate their own behavioral options and make positive choices.I am looking forward to empowering my kindergarteners to be their best selves.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Behavior Management    3. Discipline of children    4. Education    5. Education / Parent Participation    6. Education / Teaching    7. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General    8. Family & Relationships / Parenting    9. Handbooks, manuals, etc    10. Parenting - Discipline    11. Rewards and punishments in edu    12. Rewards and punishments in education    13. Behavior modification    14. Family & Relationships    15. Parent Participation    16. Parenting    17. Responsibility in children    18. Teaching Methods & Materials - General   

Reviews (31)

A House Divided
"The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America" will challenge any illusion the reader holds that America has left her divided and racist history far behind. Truly a heart rending account of apartheid schooling that bridges the larger social implications of racial and economic disparity with the daily life and dreams of our children.

A voice for those who do not have a say right now.
Promises made are not always promises kept.We all say that we want education to be a priority for all.Do we all really support that?The Shame of the Nation exposes the compliancy that many Americans have when it comes to actually promoting equal opportunities for all.We want our professional athletes and Olympic contestants to be able to compete and train in the best facilities and with the best practices.This enables them to reach their fullest potential and beyond.We should all be willing to support this endeavor for the education of all of our students.This book helps us to walk in another's shoes and truly empathize with the inequaties that so many children must deal with.Reading this book should open ones eyes to how many future adult American are set up for failure.Brown vs. Board of Education may have imposed laws for equality but it must go further into the mindset of funding agencies.If we are truly to become equal, we must alleviate the barriers that cause the fragmentation of opporutnity and success.
Opened my eyes to problems in our public education system
This book explains how racial segregation in the public schools has been getting worse and why that is a problem.If children interact with other races at a young age, they're less likely to have racist ideas as adults.When people extol the legal and political victories that allowed integrated schools, Kozol finds it ironic because even though apartheid is not the law, current public policy discourages integration.Well-meaning parents in affluent school districts lobby against any zoning change that would include children from poorer areas.The result is that school districts are unintentionally set up to segregate the poor from the middle class and dark-skinned from the ligher-skinned.This makes our society seem horribly unfair to the children going through the segregated, inferior schools.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. De facto school segregation    3. Discrimination & Racism    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Educational Policy & Reform    7. General    8. Multicultural Education    9. Philosophy & Social Aspects    10. Sociology Of Education    11. United States    12. Education / General   

Reviews (1)

Golden Dancer
In the movie Inherit the Wind, the story of Golden Dancer is related to the audience.Golden Dancer was a beautiful and expensive wooden rocking horse that a family bought for its child after saving for it.The first time the child rode the horse, it collapsed as the wood was rotten to the core;so, is the DuFour premise as found on page 37.His conclusion that all students can achieve at the same level (learn specified topics) is asinine.He argues that all that is needed for struggling students is more time and support.He refuses to take into account intelligence and student effort (responsibility) in his equation.If his premise has any chance of coming true, teachers will have to dumb down what they teach to the lowest common denominator. Additionally, he and his colleagues lump all "traditional schools" into the same problem heap.His approach is simplistic and insulting.I would give this book zero stars, but that is not an option. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. General