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Parents and community activists around the country complain that the education system is failing our children. They point to students failure to master basic skills, even as standardized testing is widely employed in efforts to improve the educational system. Contradictions of Reform is a ...

Parents and community activists around the country complain that the education system is failing our children. They point to students failure to master basic skills, even as standardized testing is widely employed in efforts to improve the educational system. Contradictions of Reform is a provocative look into the reality, for students as well as teachers, of standardized testing. A detailed account of how student "improvement" and teacher "effectiveness" are evaluated. Contradictions of Reform argues compellingly that the preparation of students for standardized tests engenders teaching methods that vastly compromise the quality of education.

School reform of one kind or another is a priority for education systems the world over. Yet the voices of students - those most affected by, and most pivotal to, the success or failure of any program of school reform - are rarely heard on this topic. This is the first book to look at school reform ...

School reform of one kind or another is a priority for education systems the world over. Yet the voices of students - those most affected by, and most pivotal to, the success or failure of any program of school reform - are rarely heard on this topic. This is the first book to look at school reform from the perspective of the students. Such a youth-centred approach to studying school reform provides valuable insight into how students experience changes in school structure and classroom instruction. The studies included in this collection focus on reform initiatives aimed at overcoming persistent patterns of racial, class and gender inequality. The authors combine the theoretical aspects of research with its practical applications, making this an invaluable resource for teacher educators, classroom practitioners, researchers and policymakers. Critical Voices in School Reform: Students Living Through Change is divided into two parts. Part one describes and analyses programs of reform that turned out contrary to the intentions of adult reformers, illustrating the - often unspoken - tension between adult and student perspectives on school change. Part two looks at reform initiatives that were able to harness student energies and thereby improve pupils' engagement with school life. These reforms, which are finely attuned to the needs and interests of students, offer clear, valuable guidance to those trying to create more equitable school experiences. A concluding chapter draws together the themes and insights gained from looking at school reform through a student-centred lens and offers suggestions for more relevant and lasting reform.

In spite of all the media attention and national concern about schools, this is the only book that documents real improvements in learning, confidence, and morale, proven through the author's 15 years of research and experience. Rather than business or government imposing a solution to the problems ...

In spite of all the media attention and national concern about schools, this is the only book that documents real improvements in learning, confidence, and morale, proven through the author's 15 years of research and experience. Rather than business or government imposing a solution to the problems in education, this is an inside solution developed by teachers, administrators, and school board members. Genck details a system of participative and results-oriented management to replace traditional authoritarian school administration and its attendant conflict with teamwork and accountability.