New Frontiers in Education – serie

Despite widespread recognition that school systems need to do profoundly better, those seeking improvement have been persistently frustrated by the mediocre results of popular reforms. School and system leaders, policy-makers, and funders lack clear guidance as to the steps necessary to dramatically and effectively transform an educational ecosystem. Would-be reformers need a playbook outlining clear strategies for rethinking outdated approaches to school and system governance, resource allocation, quality control, talent management, and data use for the 21st century.In this volume, a team of national experts addresses the major elements necessary for system redesign, describing in detail the steps needed at the community, school, district, and state level by which to achieve it.

Despite widespread recognition that school systems need to do profoundly better, those seeking improvement have been persistently frustrated by the mediocre results of popular reforms. School and system leaders, policy-makers, and funders lack clear guidance as to the steps necessary to dramatically and effectively transform an educational ecosystem. Would-be reformers need a playbook outlining clear strategies for rethinking outdated approaches to school and system governance, resource allocation, quality control, talent management, and data use for the 21st century.In this volume, a team of national experts addresses the major elements necessary for system redesign, describing in detail the steps needed at the community, school, district, and state level by which to achieve it.

Breaking the Cycle tells the inspiring story of young people whom many would write off as a lost cause but who, thanks to a remarkable school, are headed for success. We learn about their world from teens like Shawna, the daughter of a crack-addicted mother. Or Andre, the only one in his family not on drugs. Or Daron, kicked out of his home by an abusive father. Challenged by the pernicious factors of their environment—drugs, violence, fatherless homes, and poor educational backgrounds—students at the Dayton Early College Academy are nevertheless beating the odds. All are headed for college, from which the vast majority will graduate.The book reveals how this school is succeeding when so many fail. It conveys the hopeful message that others can replicate much of what “DECA” does and save a generation mired in despair.America’s failure to educate its urban children is evidenced by our woeful statistics. If it is possible to turn around this bleak picture—and it is—this is a story well worth telling. And this is what Breaking the Cycle aims to do.For more information on the book, including interviews with the author please check out www.nancybdiggs.com.

Breaking the Cycle tells the inspiring story of young people whom many would write off as a lost cause but who, thanks to a remarkable school, are headed for success. We learn about their world from teens like Shawna, the daughter of a crack-addicted mother. Or Andre, the only one in his family not on drugs. Or Daron, kicked out of his home by an abusive father. Challenged by the pernicious factors of their environment—drugs, violence, fatherless homes, and poor educational backgrounds—students at the Dayton Early College Academy are nevertheless beating the odds. All are headed for college, from which the vast majority will graduate.The book reveals how this school is succeeding when so many fail. It conveys the hopeful message that others can replicate much of what “DECA” does and save a generation mired in despair.America’s failure to educate its urban children is evidenced by our woeful statistics. If it is possible to turn around this bleak picture—and it is—this is a story well worth telling. And this is what Breaking the Cycle aims to do.For more information on the book, including interviews with the author please check out www.nancybdiggs.com.

Breaking the Cycle tells the inspiring story of young people whom many would write off as a lost cause but who, thanks to a remarkable school, are headed for success. We learn about their world from teens like Shawna, the daughter of a crack-addicted mother. Or Andre, the only one in his family not on drugs. Or Daron, kicked out of his home by an abusive father. Challenged by the pernicious factors of their environment—drugs, violence, fatherless homes, and poor educational backgrounds—students at the Dayton Early College Academy are nevertheless beating the odds. All are headed for college, from which the vast majority will graduate.The book reveals how this school is succeeding when so many fail. It conveys the hopeful message that others can replicate much of what “DECA” does and save a generation mired in despair.America’s failure to educate its urban children is evidenced by our woeful statistics. If it is possible to turn around this bleak picture—and it is—this is a story well worth telling. And this is what Breaking the Cycle aims to do.For more information on the book, including interviews with the author please check out www.nancybdiggs.com.

Each year over a million newly-minted high school graduates enroll in four-year colleges and universities across the country. They do so often after a lengthy and almost always stressful selection process. Faced with growing evidence of declining standards, rising political correctness and spiraling costs, families feel more powerless than ever before – and question whether a college degree is really the key to the American dream. What is a parent to do? This book provides an answer. Higher education expert Anne Neal offers families a concise guide to finding the right college. Rejecting the notion that reputation is everything, this guide offers insightful chapters on curricula and teaching, campus and dorm life, freedom of thought and speech, and affordability – issues that are more and more in the news. Families are given a handy checklist of questions designed to help them zero in on key issues of quality and cost to ensure a college program that will provide the skills and knowledge needed for success after graduation.

Each year over a million newly-minted high school graduates enroll in four-year colleges and universities across the country. They do so often after a lengthy and almost always stressful selection process. Faced with growing evidence of declining standards, rising political correctness and spiraling costs, families feel more powerless than ever before – and question whether a college degree is really the key to the American dream. What is a parent to do? This book provides an answer. Higher education expert Anne Neal offers families a concise guide to finding the right college. Rejecting the notion that reputation is everything, this guide offers insightful chapters on curricula and teaching, campus and dorm life, freedom of thought and speech, and affordability – issues that are more and more in the news. Families are given a handy checklist of questions designed to help them zero in on key issues of quality and cost to ensure a college program that will provide the skills and knowledge needed for success after graduation.

Each year over a million newly-minted high school graduates enroll in four-year colleges and universities across the country. They do so often after a lengthy and almost always stressful selection process. Faced with growing evidence of declining standards, rising political correctness and spiraling costs, families feel more powerless than ever before – and question whether a college degree is really the key to the American dream. What is a parent to do? This book provides an answer. Higher education expert Anne Neal offers families a concise guide to finding the right college. Rejecting the notion that reputation is everything, this guide offers insightful chapters on curricula and teaching, campus and dorm life, freedom of thought and speech, and affordability – issues that are more and more in the news. Families are given a handy checklist of questions designed to help them zero in on key issues of quality and cost to ensure a college program that will provide the skills and knowledge needed for success after graduation.

In the past decade, the number of students enrolled in private school choice programs has grown ten-fold. But granting students access to public financing for their private education has not led to the vibrant marketplace of school options many of its supporters envisioned. If school choice policy is to improve the American education landscape, careful thought must be put in to understand how it can expand existing high quality schools and create new high quality schools to serve more children. New and Better Schools attacks this problem from the perspective of both researchers and practitioners, documenting the hurdles entrepreneurial school leaders face and offering a way forward.

In the past decade, the number of students enrolled in private school choice programs has grown ten-fold. But granting students access to public financing for their private education has not led to the vibrant marketplace of school options many of its supporters envisioned. If school choice policy is to improve the American education landscape, careful thought must be put in to understand how it can expand existing high quality schools and create new high quality schools to serve more children. New and Better Schools attacks this problem from the perspective of both researchers and practitioners, documenting the hurdles entrepreneurial school leaders face and offering a way forward.

This book presents six different charter schools that explicitly embrace a compelling civic mission and that foster an excellent academic environment. This volume makes the case that the rediscovery of the civic mission of schooling is not at odds with the broader education reform movement. These charter schools all have widely different approaches to teaching and fostering civic-mindedness, but each charter system links good behavior, character formation, and the practical aspects of citizenship with classroom performance.

This book presents six different charter schools that explicitly embrace a compelling civic mission and that foster an excellent academic environment. This volume makes the case that the rediscovery of the civic mission of schooling is not at odds with the broader education reform movement. These charter schools all have widely different approaches to teaching and fostering civic-mindedness, but each charter system links good behavior, character formation, and the practical aspects of citizenship with classroom performance.

Much of the current discourse on improving school leadership, and particularly the performance of principals, is misguided. There is much too much emphasis on evaluation and standards as determined by policy makers and professors and not nearly enough attention to how one provides performance-driven leadership in the context of day-to-day practice. As an administrator, academic, consultant and researcher, Lytle has traveled widely in the school leadership province. This book draws on his career as a school administrator and his experience teaching leadership at the graduate level. The author uses personal stories to address such questions as: How does one learn to lead? How does one become a leader? How does one teach others to lead? What does it mean to lead for learning?

Much of the current discourse on improving school leadership, and particularly the performance of principals, is misguided. There is much too much emphasis on evaluation and standards as determined by policy makers and professors and not nearly enough attention to how one provides performance-driven leadership in the context of day-to-day practice. As an administrator, academic, consultant and researcher, Lytle has traveled widely in the school leadership province. This book draws on his career as a school administrator and his experience teaching leadership at the graduate level. The author uses personal stories to address such questions as: How does one learn to lead? How does one become a leader? How does one teach others to lead? What does it mean to lead for learning?

Much of the current discourse on improving school leadership, and particularly the performance of principals, is misguided. There is much too much emphasis on evaluation and standards as determined by policy makers and professors and not nearly enough attention to how one provides performance-driven leadership in the context of day-to-day practice. As an administrator, academic, consultant and researcher, Lytle has traveled widely in the school leadership province. This book draws on his career as a school administrator and his experience teaching leadership at the graduate level. The author uses personal stories to address such questions as: How does one learn to lead? How does one become a leader? How does one teach others to lead? What does it mean to lead for learning?

Choosing Excellence in Public Schools explains the origins of the low expectations we have of children, including, notably, children of color, those for whom English is a second language, poor children and children with disabilities. The book dispels the basis for low expectations. It makes clear the economic, demographic, civic, personal and moral imperative to educate all children to high standards and the consequences of not doing so. Hornbeck and Conner set forth a comprehensive, radical agenda based on proven practices and practical experience that will result in education success for virtually all children where faithfully implemented. This book breaks new ground. It establishes that the missing ingredient in school reform is the absence of values-driven, focused, well-financed, professionally staffed, technologically sophisticated grassroots expression of the public will insisting that the political, media, business, judicial and organized labor institutions that make the choices that result in our children's learning conditions make different, and effective choices. We get the education for our own children and grandchildren and those of others that we tolerate or demand.

Choosing Excellence in Public Schools explains the origins of the low expectations we have of children, including, notably, children of color, those for whom English is a second language, poor children and children with disabilities. The book dispels the basis for low expectations. It makes clear the economic, demographic, civic, personal and moral imperative to educate all children to high standards and the consequences of not doing so. Hornbeck and Conner set forth a comprehensive, radical agenda based on proven practices and practical experience that will result in education success for virtually all children where faithfully implemented. This book breaks new ground. It establishes that the missing ingredient in school reform is the absence of values-driven, focused, well-financed, professionally staffed, technologically sophisticated grassroots expression of the public will insisting that the political, media, business, judicial and organized labor institutions that make the choices that result in our children's learning conditions make different, and effective choices. We get the education for our own children and grandchildren and those of others that we tolerate or demand.

Choosing Excellence in Public Schools explains the origins of the low expectations we have of children, including, notably, children of color, those for whom English is a second language, poor children and children with disabilities. The book dispels the basis for low expectations. It makes clear the economic, demographic, civic, personal and moral imperative to educate all children to high standards and the consequences of not doing so. Hornbeck and Conner set forth a comprehensive, radical agenda based on proven practices and practical experience that will result in education success for virtually all children where faithfully implemented. This book breaks new ground. It establishes that the missing ingredient in school reform is the absence of values-driven, focused, well-financed, professionally staffed, technologically sophisticated grassroots expression of the public will insisting that the political, media, business, judicial and organized labor institutions that make the choices that result in our children''s learning conditions make different, and effective choices. We get the education for our own children and grandchildren and those of others that we tolerate or demand.

Social Entrepreneurship in Education chronicles the twenty-five-year history of entrepreneurs who responded to the call of A Nation at Risk and helped launch an education industry. It tells the story of these "education entrepreneurs" and the lessons they learned, using entrepreneurial skills to tackle public problems and improve outcomes for millions of students.This book demonstrates, firsthand, the importance of mentorship and profiles the individuals behind the businesses, highlighting the skills and characteristics that one must possess to successfully execute and operate enterprises in education. It reflects on the development of a burgeoning industry and illuminates the possibilities for applying a private sector mind-set to education. This book is fundamental for understanding the ins and outs of utilizing social entrepreneurship to improve education for American students.

Social Entrepreneurship in Education chronicles the twenty-five-year history of entrepreneurs who responded to the call of A Nation at Risk and helped launch an education industry. It tells the story of these "education entrepreneurs" and the lessons they learned, using entrepreneurial skills to tackle public problems and improve outcomes for millions of students.This book demonstrates, firsthand, the importance of mentorship and profiles the individuals behind the businesses, highlighting the skills and characteristics that one must possess to successfully execute and operate enterprises in education. It reflects on the development of a burgeoning industry and illuminates the possibilities for applying a private sector mind-set to education. This book is fundamental for understanding the ins and outs of utilizing social entrepreneurship to improve education for American students.

Social Entrepreneurship in Education chronicles the twenty-five-year history of entrepreneurs who responded to the call of A Nation at Risk and helped launch an education industry. It tells the story of these "education entrepreneurs" and the lessons they learned, using entrepreneurial skills to tackle public problems and improve outcomes for millions of students.This book demonstrates, firsthand, the importance of mentorship and profiles the individuals behind the businesses, highlighting the skills and characteristics that one must possess to successfully execute and operate enterprises in education. It reflects on the development of a burgeoning industry and illuminates the possibilities for applying a private sector mind-set to education. This book is fundamental for understanding the ins and outs of utilizing social entrepreneurship to improve education for American students.

Charter schools offer something that public school systems, parents, and teachers need: a way to experiment with alternative ways of teaching, motivating students, organizing schools, using technology, and employing teachers. While people came down on both sides of support for or against charter schools, everyone was surprised by how difficult it was to assess charter school performance. The first part of this book focuses on how to improve estimates of charter schools' performance, especially their benefits to students who attend them; the second part suggests how policymakers can learn more about charter schools and make better use of evidence. The editors and authors suggest ways states and localities can improve the quality of data on which charter school studies are based and trace some of the ways charter school research influences policy.

Charter schools offer something that public school systems, parents, and teachers need: a way to experiment with alternative ways of teaching, motivating students, organizing schools, using technology, and employing teachers. While people came down on both sides of support for or against charter schools, everyone was surprised by how difficult it was to assess charter school performance. The first part of this book focuses on how to improve estimates of charter schools' performance, especially their benefits to students who attend them; the second part suggests how policymakers can learn more about charter schools and make better use of evidence. The editors and authors suggest ways states and localities can improve the quality of data on which charter school studies are based and trace some of the ways charter school research influences policy.

Charter schools offer something that public school systems, parents, and teachers need: a way to experiment with alternative ways of teaching, motivating students, organizing schools, using technology, and employing teachers. While people came down on both sides of support for or against charter schools, everyone was surprised by how difficult it was to assess charter school performance. The first part of this book focuses on how to improve estimates of charter schools'' performance, especially their benefits to students who attend them; the second part suggests how policymakers can learn more about charter schools and make better use of evidence. The editors and authors suggest ways states and localities can improve the quality of data on which charter school studies are based and trace some of the ways charter school research influences policy.

Very high rates of family fragmentation in the United States are subtracting from what very large numbers of students are learning in school and forever holding them back in many other ways. This in turn is damaging the country economically by making us less primed for innovation while also making millions of Americans less competitive in an increasingly demanding worldwide marketplace. All of which is leading – and can only lead – to deepening class divisions in a nation which has never viewed itself or operated in such splintered ways. What can be done to reverse these severely destructive trends, starting with reducing the enormous number of children forced to grow up with only one parent living under the same roof? What educational reforms are most likely to help under such demanding circumstances? And as dangerous as the situation is, why do leaders in education and other fields persist, for both understandable and less-worthy reasons, in dancing around profoundly important questions of family breakdown to the point of contortion and ultimately failure?

Very high rates of family fragmentation in the United States are subtracting from what very large numbers of students are learning in school and forever holding them back in many other ways. This in turn is damaging the country economically by making us less primed for innovation while also making millions of Americans less competitive in an increasingly demanding worldwide marketplace. All of which is leading – and can only lead – to deepening class divisions in a nation which has never viewed itself or operated in such splintered ways. What can be done to reverse these severely destructive trends, starting with reducing the enormous number of children forced to grow up with only one parent living under the same roof? What educational reforms are most likely to help under such demanding circumstances? And as dangerous as the situation is, why do leaders in education and other fields persist, for both understandable and less-worthy reasons, in dancing around profoundly important questions of family breakdown to the point of contortion and ultimately failure?

For more than two generations, the traditional urban school system—the district—has utterly failed to do its job: prepare its students for a lifetime of success. Millions and millions of boys and girls have suffered the grievous consequences. The district is irreparably broken. For the sake of today’s and tomorrow’s inner-city kids, it must be replaced. The Urban School System of the Future argues that vastly better results can be realized through the creation of a new type of organization that properly manages a city’s portfolio of schools using the revolutionary principles of chartering.It will ensure that new schools are regularly created, that great schools are expanded and replicated, that persistently failing schools are closed, and that families have access to an array of high-quality options. This new entity will focus exclusively on school performance, meaning, among other things, our cities can thoughtfully integrate their traditional public, charter public, and private schools into a single, high-functioning k-12 system. For decades, the district has produced the most heartbreaking results for already at-risk kids. The Urban School System of the Future explains how we can finally turn the tide and create dynamic, responsive, high-performing, self-improving urban school systems that fulfill the promise of public education.

For more than two generations, the traditional urban school system—the district—has utterly failed to do its job: prepare its students for a lifetime of success. Millions and millions of boys and girls have suffered the grievous consequences. The district is irreparably broken. For the sake of today’s and tomorrow’s inner-city kids, it must be replaced. The Urban School System of the Future argues that vastly better results can be realized through the creation of a new type of organization that properly manages a city’s portfolio of schools using the revolutionary principles of chartering.It will ensure that new schools are regularly created, that great schools are expanded and replicated, that persistently failing schools are closed, and that families have access to an array of high-quality options. This new entity will focus exclusively on school performance, meaning, among other things, our cities can thoughtfully integrate their traditional public, charter public, and private schools into a single, high-functioning k-12 system. For decades, the district has produced the most heartbreaking results for already at-risk kids. The Urban School System of the Future explains how we can finally turn the tide and create dynamic, responsive, high-performing, self-improving urban school systems that fulfill the promise of public education.

For more than two generations, the traditional urban school system—the district—has utterly failed to do its job: prepare its students for a lifetime of success. Millions and millions of boys and girls have suffered the grievous consequences. The district is irreparably broken. For the sake of today’s and tomorrow’s inner-city kids, it must be replaced. The Urban School System of the Future argues that vastly better results can be realized through the creation of a new type of organization that properly manages a city’s portfolio of schools using the revolutionary principles of chartering.It will ensure that new schools are regularly created, that great schools are expanded and replicated, that persistently failing schools are closed, and that families have access to an array of high-quality options. This new entity will focus exclusively on school performance, meaning, among other things, our cities can thoughtfully integrate their traditional public, charter public, and private schools into a single, high-functioning k-12 system. For decades, the district has produced the most heartbreaking results for already at-risk kids. The Urban School System of the Future explains how we can finally turn the tide and create dynamic, responsive, high-performing, self-improving urban school systems that fulfill the promise of public education.