Book Description
"
Failure Is Not an Option is a deeply passionate call to arms, combined with the wherewithal to take systematic, continuous, and effective action. A must read for all those interested in reform because it is simultaneously inspiring and practical."
From the Foreword by Michael Fullan, Dean
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
"This is a practical, well formatted book that is intellectually solid, emotionally inspiring, and practically accessible."
Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Lynch School of Education, Boston College
"Both inspirational and eminently practical,
Failure Is Not an Option can serve as a handbook for both strategic planning and classroom-by-classroom reworking. Any administrator who truly wishes to change his or her school can use this book as a manual from which to design every aspect of the change process."
Robert W. Cole, Educational writer and consultant
Louisville, KY
"This book speaks to the spark of caring, generosity, and greatness in every child and provides caring adults with ideas and tools to unleash this potential. It leaves no part of the child behind, and leaves no adult on the sidelines."
Maurice J. Elias, Professor of Psychology
Rutgers University, New Jersey
The powerful new guide to creating successful and sustainable professional learning communities!
Building on a foundation that identifies courageous school leadership and the professional learning community as the center of effective school reform, this powerful new book by Alan M. Blankstein offers six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools:
1. Common mission, vision, values, and goals
2. Systems for prevention and intervention
3. Collaborative teaming for teaching and learning
4. Data driven decision making and continuous improvement
5. Active engagement from family and community
6. Building sustainable leadership capacity
Covering theory into practice, applications that include case studies and vignettes, and techniques for addressing difficult issues, the book also provides valuable dual perspectives on the critical issues: how implementation looks when it’s done right as well as when things go wrong.
Failure Is Not an Option is sure to be the state-of-the-art resource that school leaders reach for when, in Michael Fullan’s words, they need "practical applications to perplexing problems."
See
Facilitator's Guide to Failure Is Not an Option(TM)
Customer Reviews:
Success is not optional - Buy this book.......2007-09-17
Speaks to you as if the author were sitting down for a chat. Excellent text for a Leadership Class. Quick Read!!!
Failure is not a option.......2007-02-16
same ideals I have read time and time again,. nothing new and it cost to much.
Develops six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools.......2004-10-10
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.
Product Description
The focus of Getting Started: Reculturing Schools to Become Professional Learning Communities is answering the most common question posed by schools seeking to start their transformation into professional learning communities: Where do we begin? In the Introduction, the authors present the PLC concept, making the book accessible to those who have not yet read Professional Learning Communities at Work and providing a review of the framework for those who have. The main focus of the Introduction is that PLC is not a cookie-cutter approach, but rather a process that can be complex and non-linear. The book provides the reader access to a solid conceptual framework and concrete illustrations of how schools operate when they are functioning as PLCs, as well as to assessments for determining the effectiveness of their efforts.
Customer Reviews:
The Best Hope for Public Schools.......2007-06-26
As a public school teacher and teacher trainer I feel strongly that the best reform schools can make is involving teachers and administrators in professional conversations as colleagues about teaching and learning. This book is a very good "how to do it" manual.
Very good book for college class..........2007-05-10
I needed this book for a college class. The price of the book was very reasonable and I was quite pleasantly surprised that the book was actually interesting. This is one book that I plan to keep and not sell back to the school. I think the book will be a good resource even after I've finished my degree work.
Golden Dancer.......2006-09-22
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.
Average customer rating:
- Educational administration textbook that can be understood
|
Educational Administration: Theory, Research, and Practice
Wayne K Hoy ,
Cecil G Miskel ,
Wayne Hoy , and
Cecil Miskel
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0072875682 |
Book Description
A leading text in its field, Educational Administration presents the most comprehensive synthesis available of theory and research in organizational behavior as it applies to the practice of Educational Administration. Each theoretical perspective presented concludes with an authentic case study that challenges students to apply their knowledge to an actual contemporary school problem.
Customer Reviews:
Educational administration textbook that can be understood.......2006-12-29
Professor required this textbook for Community College Leadership class. Could understand concepts and theories in plan English along with chapter endings with highlights of the chapter. Great index for looking up topics.
Book Description
Thoroughly revised and updated, Educational Administration: A Problem-Based Approach shares with readers the very latest thinking in the field and relates it to significant real-life problems of practice.
Reflecting on current changes and thinking in educational administration, this book includes updated expert analysis pieces by noted authorities in every chapter. The book uses a problem-based approach and provides readers with opportunities to analyze and apply their knowledge to authentic situations. . It emphasizes a number of important challenges such as the increasing diversity in our schools and society and the impact of reforms and technology on learning environments.
For those involved in educational administration.
Book Description
According to author Mike Schmoker, there is a yawning gap between the most well-known essential practices and the reality of most classrooms. This gap persists despite the hard, often heroic work done by many teachers and administrators. Schmoker believes that teachers and administrators may know what the best practices are, but they aren't using them or reinforcing them consistently. He asserts that our schools are protected by a buffer—a protective barrier that prevents scrutiny of instruction by outsiders. The buffer exists within the school as well. Teachers often know only what is going on in their classrooms—and they may be completely in the dark about what other teachers in the school are doing. Even principals, says Schmoker, don't have a clear view of the daily practices of teaching and learning in their schools.
Schmoker suggests that we need to get beyond this buffer to confront the truth about what is happening in classrooms, and to allow teachers to learn from each other and to be supervised properly. He outlines a plan that focuses on the importance of consistent curriculum, authentic literacy education, and professional learning communities for teachers.
What will students get out of this new approach? Learning for life. Schmoker argues passionately that students become learners for life when they have more opportunities to engage in strategic reading, writing with explicit guidance, and argument and discussion.
Through strong teamwork, true leadership, and authentic learning, schools and their students can reach new heights. Results Now is a rally cry for educators to focus on what counts. If they do, Schmoker promises, the entire school community can count on unprecedented achievements.
Customer Reviews:
Educators Need This Book Now.......2007-08-31
This is an excellent book that supports teaching and learning, professional learning communities, power standards and data-driven decision making. If Reeves' and Marzano's work is intriguing, then Schmoker extends it. Every one of the staff in our district is reading this book as we implement our essential standards and assessments as part of our school improvement and student learning goals.
Schmoker Review.......2007-05-29
Mr. Schmoker's ideas and concerns within "Results Now" are thought provoking and interesting. I found that this book revolves around two grand ideas: literacy instruction and Prfessional Learning Communities. Within those two themes are many practical suggestions for school leaders to use.
As far as literacy instruction, Schmoker is very blunt and forward about what works and what doesn't. I thought it was particularly interesting to read about how so many leaders live in the now and place programs in schools that have no research behind them. I have to agree that this only creates roadblocks to best practices and improving instruction.
I have also been doing research on Dufour's idea of Professional Learning Communities (PLC's). Results Now is a user-friendly handbook that contains an effective overview of PLC's. I am now trying to implement this into my own building and have used this book as a suggested reading for all stake holders.
I found the information on isolation particularly useful. I think Schmoker makes a good point when he points out that that teaching is one of the most isolated and, therefore, safest jobs in the world. Furthermore, he goes on to say that, as leaders, we settle for mediocrity and excellent teachers are no longer a requirement in schools.
Overall, I found this book to be very helpful. It is a no-nonsense approach to significant changes in education. I would recommend it to anyone involved in education.
Great for Teacher Professional Library.......2007-02-23
This book would be a great addition to a teacher's professional library. Offers some great ideas for dealing with NCLB
Some Good Points.......2007-01-27
I think that Michael Schmoker has some very good observations about how schools work. I just don't believe that he has the accurate reasons for why the schools work the ways they do. What is missing from his theories are people at the bottom - the students and the teachers. This book essentially advocates the top - down method of running schools and is meant to psyche administrators into "taking control" of the classrooms and buildings they work in. A balance has to be struck with top - down and from the bottom up methods. Schools need all people to help run them and if their is too much control at the top, students especially will react with passive resistance. In fact, it is already happening. Take a good look at how many students are "tuned out of school" and are not graduating. Lynn
Literacy & PLCs.......2006-11-23
In Results Now, Michael Schmoker explains what he believes to be the route to achieving unprecedented gains in student achievement. His conclusions center around two main points: literacy and professional learning communities (PLCs). He believes that the key to success in all areas is the ability to read. In addition, he believes that teachers already have the knowledge they need to make great strides in aiding student achievement if they would only create the structures that would allow them to share their knowledge effectively.
Like many educational pundits, Schmoker has some great ideas. Certainly, there is much to be said for the importance of literacy across the curriculum. There is also a lot of truth to his assertions that many language arts classes, particularly at the younger ages when literacy is beginning to form, have become only incidentally about reading and writing. The overabundance of "artistic expression" (i.e. drawing pictures) in the place of actively engaging in literary activities is a problem, as is the reliance on skill/drill activities (read "worksheets"). Instead, Schmoker pushes for dominance of activities that have the students actively reading and writing.
Some of his commentary on professional development was interesting as well. As an educational consultant, I too have seen first hand how the "educational initiative of the moment" has had nothing but negative impact on school districts. There is something to be said for Schmoker's belief that, if teachers could just be pulled together in an effective way to share their expertise and best lessons, they could have a huge impact on student achievement. I must also note that his focus less on the evil of standardized tests as opposed to our ability to help students succeed on these tests was, admittedly, refreshing.
Unfortunately, like many educational pundits, his tone in prose can make his suggestions bitter pills to swallow and his idealism is a little far-fetched. He has an occasional tendency to slide into a rather condescending tone which is rather off-putting. And, though following his suggestions would likely have a great impact on education, I don't think all problems will be solved by his ideas. Literacy is a key but it will not open all doors across the curriculum and, having worked with teachers trying to form professional learning communities, it's easier said than done. I don't believe even a great PLC will eliminate the need for professional development. Master teachers are always looking to improve. Still, it is fair to say that Schmoker has ideas that are worth considering.
Product Description
In the wake of the accountability movement, school administrators are inundated with data about their students. How can they use this information to support student achievement? This book presents a clear and carefully tested blueprint for school leaders. It shows how examining test scores and other classroom data can become a catalyst for important schoolwide conversations that will enhance schools' ability to capture teachers' knowledge, foster collaboration, identify obstacles to change, and enhance school culture and climate.
Customer Reviews:
Useful how-to book on data use in schools.......2007-06-14
Data Wise is exactly as the title describes. It tells you exactly how to implement data use in your school with case studies/examples. Great for all levels of experience, especially those just starting out. Little to no background knowledge in the area is required to benefit from the book. Lingo and definitions are given in the beginning. Great for use by all educators.
Fast Shipping!.......2007-02-06
I didn't expect for this book to arrive as quickly as it did! It came in just a few days. (With standard shipping) I was very pleased!
Book Description
The most practical book in the field, this book provides clear, hands-on guidance for supervising teachers and encouraging professional growth. It presents a widely accepted and flexible model of clinical supervision as well as numerous research-based and field-tested strategies. Updated throughout to reflect the latest research and theory.
Book Description
Education, like electricity, needs a conduit, a teacher, through which to transmit its power-- i.e., the discovery and continuity of information, knowledge, wisdom, experience, and culture. Through the stories and experiences of eight successful teacher-transmitters, The Dreamkeepers keeps hope alive for educating young African Americans.
--ReverAnd Jesse L. Jackson, president and founder, National Rainbow Coalition
In this beautifully written book Ladson-Billings illustrates the inspiring influence of a select group of teachers who keep the dreams alive for African American students.
?Henry M. Levin, David Jacks professor of Higher Education, Stanford University
Ladson-Billing's portraits, interwoven with personal reflections, challenge readers to envision intellectually rigorous and culturally relevant classrooms that have the power to improve the lives of not just African American students but all children.
Customer Reviews:
Positive thoughts on culturally relevant teaching.......2006-12-02
The author of Dreamkeepers makes the argument that African American children can be successful in school if changes are made by the education community. Gloria Ladson-Billings advocates for "culturally relevant teaching" which she believes will allow children to achieve academic success while maintaining a positive African American identity. By examining historical inequalities and the poor state of current education and achievement of African American children, the future may appear bleak or even destined for failure. Ladson-Billings offers examples of teachers, teaching methods, and ideas to keep the dream of education and success alive for African American children today. The focus of the book is the roles teachers have in helping children find success and examples of how teachers of African American children have been successful in this role. The way children should be taught is also discussed because she claims that the way children are taught is often more important than what they are taught. Ladson-Billings believes that these ideas could be used to get teachers, parents, and community members to redesign schools to better meet the needs of African American children, and after considering her reasons and evidence provided I am inclined to agree with these ideas.
The study was done in a predominantly low income African American community. To find successful teachers of African American children, Ladson-Billings asked parents and community members and then principals. When she had gathered a list of possible names, she chose only the names that had appeared from both groups. Ladson-Billings notes a distinction between excellent teaching and teachers because she does not want the examples to be dismissed as a cult of personality. Current problems in education will not be corrected if findings of success are viewed as exceptions, so she offers the examples in hopes that they can become the typical educational experience of African American children.
Through teacher interviews, classroom observations, and personal reflections the author develops the idea of culturally relevant teaching. To demonstrate how culturally relevant teaching might improve education, she describes three programs that are used in educating African American children. The first is to ignore differences that exist. It is designed to remediate or accelerate progress without attending or acknowledging to students' social or cultural needs. The second is the idea that problems are rooted in pathology and children need to be removed from it, so African American children are socialized into mainstream behaviors and values while teaching them basic skills. The third is culturally relevant teaching, where differences are seen as strengths. The concept of culturally relevant teaching is the cornerstone in Ladson-Billings' argument to improve the educational experience for African Americans. Student learning is facilitated by capitalizing on students' own social and cultural background. The broad nature of this concept is a strength to its usefulness because teachers can accomplish this using many ways. Culturally relevant teaching is valid teaching style because it does not expect teachers to follow certain steps. Pedagogy that tells teachers to follow specific steps like teaching is a recipe is unrealistic and useless. Culturally relevant teaching practices can be used in countless teaching styles and curriculum because the underlying theme of appreciation of culture and differences will create a better learning environment and better results for African American children.
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children.......2006-12-01
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children was a very informative book for educators that address the aspect of culturally relevant teaching. The author, Gloria Ladsen-Billings, talks about the relationship of pedagogy and how to fulfill the needs of African American children. Ladson-Billings also addresses seven critical points that many educators have brought up, which include: a case for separate schools, the growing educational and anthropological literature in ways schools can be made to be more compatible with all of the students' cultural backgrounds, the way that a classroom's social interactions are structured in a critical aspect of culturally relevant teaching, the teachers' conceptions of themselves and others, the teachers' conception of knowledge, the teaching of elementary literacy and mathematics, and ways for improving the academic performance and the school experience of African American students.I am only going to discuss three points that I agree with most which include the case for separate schools, how education literature is allowing the schools to be more compatible with a student's cultural background and how teachers teach elementary literacy and mathematics.
The first critical point that the author brings up asks if there is a case for separate schools. It does tell us that there is a growing isolation of those that are African American with the type of education that the children receive today in public schools. I am inclined to disagree with the case for separate schools because many teachers do have a growing disaffection towards African American students, as well as students of other minority status which is not discussed in this book. I am also sure that teachers do have a stereotype towards African American children as well because if they are not experienced on how to handle teaching their students of another race, they will be less likely to focus on them in class.
The author also discusses how educational literature is growing in ways that schools are able to be much more compatible with their students background. When I did an internship at an elementary school, I could tell that many of the teachers and principals showed interest in making sure their school was diverse. I do disagree in the fact that I have heard from others and also can see where they are coming from in that there definitely is a lack of literature of the African American experiences taught in class. It is rare to see a classroom in which the African American culture is taught, and it is something that should be considered.
Another critical area was how the teachers taught elementary literacy and mathematics. The teachers focused equally on those who were illiterate and literate as well as those who did or did not excel in math. I can definitely see why the teachers handled this because I have seen first hand at how some teachers do not cure and just continue teaching. Taking the time to make sure a child understands what they are learning in school; especially an important area such as reading is very valuable in their education. Making sure that children can read and add is very important and something that should not be ignored. However, I do disagree on how teachers taught elementary literacy and mathematics, I believe how they went about it was completely wrong. For instance, I think a child who is struggling in a certain subject should not be pulled out of class during the time that subject is taught. In addition to the class time, the student should have extra tutoring. Pulling them from class is not the best solution.
The quality of the book's argument convinces those who are likely to see things differently. She expalins in detail what is culturally relevant teaching. She also describes her observations and the components and results that had occurred throughout. Finally, she was successful in questinoning the teacher's views of how African Americans are schooled. The reasons that the author gives support the main argument in great detail. I believe that teachers are fully capable of allowing these students to succeed if they are willing to do so and give it their best effort.
Dreamkeepers Book Review.......2006-11-17
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children
By, Gloria Ladson-Billings
Gloria Ladson-Billings starts this book by posing this question, "Do African American students need separate schools?" She concludes her studies by saying, "What African American students need are better schools." Her main argument throughout this book is that culturally relevant teaching practices would be a huge part of creating these "better schools." Ladson-Billings suggests that there are many key characteristics of culturally relevant teachers. Some of these consist of the teachers seeing themselves as an artist and teaching as an art, they believe that all students have the ability to succeed, they demonstrate a connectedness with all of their students, and they help students develop necessary skills for their lives. These are just a few of the many characteristics that have to do with culturally relevant teachers.
In order to find out more about culturally relevant teaching, Gloria Ladson-Billings conducted a study to find and examine culturally relevant teachers. She started out this study by asking parents and community members for the names of some teachers who were very successful at teaching African American students. Next she asked the principals of area schools to provide a list of successful teacher's names. Once eight of the same teacher's names appeared on both lists, and those teacher's agreed to participate, she stared her investigations. She combined classroom observations, interviews, and personal experience to come up with her argument for culturally relevant teaching.
Ladson-Billings' argument for culturally relevant teaching came about because she saw negative effects on students whose culture and history did not appear in their textbooks or in their lessons. She believes that African American students need to achieve academic success while still maintaining a positive African American identity. She believes that it is the teacher's responsibility to help the students want to choose academic success. In her study she had multiple teachers who were just like this. They did not care where these students were or what other people had said about these students, they knew that they could succeed and that they would succeed with their help. They, many times, would work with them on an individual level to help them in whatever way that they could. In the end, all of the students who were thought of as being difficult or not intelligent enough to learn certain skills, ended up learning what they needed to know and sometimes more. That is what made these teachers such great teachers.
Personally, I agree with these reasons to support culturally relevant teaching. I think that if students do not see their cultural history correctly displayed in textbooks or in lessons in the classroom this could cause the children to see themselves as insignificant or inferior to those of a different cultural or racial background. I also agree that African American students should and can achieve academic excellence while still maintaining a positive African American culture and identity. I think that it is a wonderful teacher who can do both of these things, help them achieve academic excellence and maintain a positive image of themselves and their background. I hope that I can be one of these wonderful teachers who can do that.
I also believe that Ladson-Billings' evidence for culturally relevant teaching is both convincing and relevant. Most of her evidence is given through her classroom observations and her interviews with the teachers. She shows that when a teacher is culturally relevant, the students end up learning more and in many cases the students like that class more. In situations where the teacher is not culturally relevant the children do not learn as much or as easily and do not enjoy the class to the same extent as the other students with culturally relevant teachers. In the final chapter of this book she talks about one of her student teachers who is too impatient and does not bring in any cultural relevance when trying to teach three sixth graders math. That teacher ended up sending those students back to their seats with homework that they had no idea how to complete. This would be an example of a teacher who is not culturally relevant. The result was that the students did not find it interesting and did not learn anything from the lesson.
The one problem that I do see with her study is that she only examined eight teachers. I think that is hardly enough to base a whole argument off of. I do think that is definitely a great start but it may be more helpful so study many more teachers. She also only studies African American students. She does not even begin to look at any other races. I believe that culturally relevant teaching would be a wonderful idea for both African American students and students of any other race.
Altogether, I think that Gloria Ladson-Billings makes a wonderful argument for culturally relevant teaching. Her main point is that students will learn better and will enjoy learning more if the lessons are culturally relevant and if the teacher is also. The only weakness that I saw with this argument is the amount of people that she studied. Overall, I think that this is a good argument and was a great book for a future teacher to read.
A Dream to Keep Alive.......2006-02-25
Though Ladon-Billings leans towards idealism constructing a perfect model of societal bliss, this book does show the underlying lack of knowledge many people have regarding educational issues. Those who say that the African-Americans' educational problems are their own fault show incredible short-sightedness to the truth of history. Have we forgotten that the Africa diaspora of colonialism was a forced migration to this country that treated blacks as inferior, and thus that it was a waste of time to educate them? In order for racism to stop, people have to recognize that there is no one race better than any other. All races have value and thus all races should be celebrated. God created them all. An understanding of this will lead to advances in the educational system which often has curricula that have no connection to many of its students. Ladson-Billings book, though primarily focused on African-Americans, is still an important blueprint toward removing some of the blinders people wear when it comes to historical truth. This book is for those who have ears to hear.
The education problem is never a one race or one minority problem.......2005-07-12
Author Ladson-Billings (1994) book "The Dreamkeepers", gave me valuable inside on examples of various challenging and rigorous classrooms, and the emphasis the author put in presenting the cultural and social aspects of schooling when framing education as a whole, was evident. However the author makes the problems of African American children the main issue at stake in her book. Therefore I was presented with a fact and a different point of view based on statistics while conducting my research: One cannot lobby to change the system for one type of minority, to be successful at change. One has to see the "spreading tumor' per se, as a culturally diverse illness, affecting all of us. We, as a diverse society cannot try to make only one minority the beneficiary of our input, improvement, and educational reform. According the U.S. Department of Education (2004) NCLB (No child left behind) report, it showed that among the reading and math proficiency levels of performance for 4th graders in 2003, African American children were slightly lower, by one to five percent, under performing the Hispanics, meaning Hispanics proficiencies in reading and math are slightly better, just slightly, but this does not justify viewing the problem of minority children as being only an African American one. To be successful at change, one has to be more objective and start change for all minorities, why is it so vital to start with only one? I know poverty and lack of social skills are a major factor, but imagine how difficult it is to learn with a new language too.
Changes need to apply to all minorities, if one starts with only one minority, one is not addressing one method of change but only one perceived suitable application for one race. It just seems logical to improve all problems minorities face with the same vigor and dedication in order to truly make changes. I just do not see why is it that African Americans or any race should be the starting point. We are all culturally diverse, aren't we? Unless we are seeing this from the historical point of view again, and we are only to consider the many challenges one race has always faced historically in the U.S. school system, but that still does not justify starting -subjectively speaking- with a minorty that could have, or perceivably so, has been least served.
My two cents...SUSAN WILDBURGER
Book Description
Pursue long-term sustainability without jeopardizing short-term results!
As agencies have pushed for greater performance and public accountability over the past two decades, we have seen some incremental improvements. But all too often, experience reveals that these improvements are temporary.
Leadership & Sustainability provides a comprehensive examination of what leaders at all levels of the educational system can do to pave the way for large-scale, sustainable reform.
Building on ideas established in his best-selling publication
The Moral Imperative of School Leadership, author Michael Fullan confronts a question that has never been addressed before: How do you develop and sustain a greater number of system thinkers in action, or new theoreticians? These proactive system leaders are at the heart of the issue of sustainability, for they are the ones to bring about deeper reform while simultaneously helping to produce other theoreticians working on the same issues.
Linking abstract concepts to concrete examples, this groundbreaking work defines an agenda for the system thinker in action, including eight elements of sustainability that can be applied to any public service or corporate institution:
- Public service with a moral purpose
- Commitment to changing the context at all levels
- Lateral capacity building through networks
- Intelligent accountability and vertical relationships
- Deep learning
- Dual commitment to short-term and long-term results
- Cyclical energizing
- The long lever of leadership
Leadership & Sustainability is an engaging and powerful book from one of the world's leading authorities on school change. It provides clear ideas and strategies for achieving deep, sustainable reform in education.
See Leadership & Sustainability (Multimedia Kit)
Customer Reviews:
Lost in the Prose.......2006-02-27
Despite the positive reaction some of my friends had to this book, I have to say that I remain unmoved. As a whole, I find this book to be a disappointment.
Not to say that there aren't many worthwhile things to find in this book. Simply reminding readers of the importance of sustaining success (which is an entirely different animal than achieving short-term results) makes this book valuable. I am particularly interested in his assertions about the effective leader's ability to train new leaders to follow in his footsteps as an important part of sustainability.
On the other hand, this book--for all of the good things it has to say--is shockingly poor in its prose. For a book as slim as this one, it is a trial to get through. The number of numbered lists is mind-boggling as is the number of footnotes and references to others' work. Synthesis can be valuable but it should be more readable than this. In addition, Mr. Fullan makes a number of assertions that he does very little to back-up with data or specific evidence.
When it comes right down to it, this book reads like a series of platitudes about leadership that doesn't really bring its point home. Mr. Fullan may have a lot of valuable help to give but a reader will find it hard to gather it from this, even if he makes it to the end.
Fullan's latest.......2005-09-26
Highly recommended reading....Fullan uses current research to highlight thoughts leaders can use to sustain improvement within thier organizations.....
Book Description
Renowned for its clarity, readability, and organization, this market-leading Educational Psychology book continues to offer the best blend of current theory, research, and practice in a completely up-to-date new edition.
This book provides an organizational framework that readers can immediately grasp to help them understand complex and ever-evolving theories. The Eighth Edition reflects the field's continuing interest in constructivism and authentic learning as well as other areas of growing emphasis such as students with disabilities and inclusion. Other topics that have been added or received significant updating include self-regulated learning, brain development, culturally relevant pedagogy, and student autonomy. Includes free Interactive Companion CD-ROM, featuring video clips of the author discussing important topics and instructive scenes from real classrooms; links to useful websites that deepen awareness of issues pertinent to teaching; activities that provide challenging problems and cases from which readers may gain further insight into the applications of theories covered.
For anyone interested in educational psychology.
Customer Reviews:
A Fine Introduction to the Field.......2005-10-20
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........2004-10-30
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........2004-05-27
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.
This book ignores the last two decades of neurobiological research, and presents obsolete theories as still being valid. She presents Piaget's theories, then suggests they have "some limitations." I guess so - since they are almost entirely disproven by PET-scan based research.
(Which is not meant to be a jab at Piaget per se. He did initiate much of the THINKING in this field. Subsequent research has simply unearthed different truths, based on actual neurobiopsychological evidence.)
Woolfolk gets more than cognitive development wrong. Language development? She appeals to outmoded works of Vygotsky.
Gender-identified differences in math skill? Due to "stereotyping in the preschool years," according to Woolfolk. No mention, not a breath of illumination, of the recent work identifying inherent differences (not deficiencies!) in spatial reasoning in young children.
Woolfolk even opines that neurocortical stimulants (e.g., Ritalin) are "controversial" in the treatment of hyperactivity. Go to brains.org and read any of the hundreds of recent journal articles listed there. You won't find a legitimate study that suggests a "controversy."
Beyond being dated, two things are really disturbing about this book. First, it is cynical to keep archaic views fresh-seeming by selectively citing modern writers. Other reviewers have called this "bias," which seems too nice a word.
Second, and worse, this book suggests bad educational policy - precisely because it's ignorant of current research.
Consider this chestnut in the chapter on language acquisition: "Learning the standard speech is easy for most children...as long as they have good models, clear instruction and opportunities for authentic practice." Ummm, NO. It is not easy. It is precisely because it is not easy that children of color are often tagged as 'slow' when they have difficulty shifting from one dialect to another.
This book offers bad science and perniciously dated pedagogical advice. It's disheartening that it's still assigned to education majors - and appalling that it is defended by practicing educators.
Great book for education majors!.......2004-02-20
I am not sure where people get the idea that the book is bias and that Woolfolk is living in the dark ages. This books shows updated examples and scenarios of today's classrooms. It is a reflection of what the students and teachers see and experience. It gives a lot of methods and strategies to use in the classroom and really talks about the psychology of students. It is an awesome book that has become a treasure to me. I think that the people that have been posting negative comments do not have much experience working with students or are not aware of the diversity and the differences that exist in school districts around the United States.
Not bad for some, but bias is evident.......2003-09-24
Not a bad overview of educational psychology, with plenty of resources for existing teachers to use in their instruction. As such, the title of this book would more properly be "Educational Psychology for Teachers". For psychologists and educational psychologists, it is rather inadequate, missing many of the new ideas in educational psychology that have not yet reached the "mainstream" of teaching, where Woolfolk resides. Most distressingly, her adherence to traditional ideas in education is annoyingly pervasive and interferes with the reader's process of inquiry and the formation of their own conclusions. As an educator herself, Woolfolk should know better that this.
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