Questioning Education

"Sean Slade's new jewel of a book, entitled Questioning Education, is one of the freshest and most original contributions to the school improvement literature in many years. Slade draws upon his many years of experience as a change leader in settings around the world to probe the deepest questions about learning and the purpose of education in our troubling times. Not just a critical diagnosis of where past reforms have gone wrong, Questioning Education points us in bold and yet attainable new directions. This truly is indispensable reading for every thinking educator."

—Dennis Shirley, Duganne Faculty Fellow and Professor, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, and author of The New Imperatives of Educational Change: Achievement with Integrity

"At a time when we’re facing immense challenges in our world, big ideas in education are back. After decades of prioritizing incremental performance gains in measurable outcomes, everyone, not just academics, or even the teaching profession, is asking where our schools are going, what are they for, and how can they help our kids face the future and make something of it. Sean Slade has the perfect book that is up to this task. With sweeping mastery of neuroscience, social studies, business thinking, and more, combined with up-to-date knowledge of the best things that are happening in our schools, Slade gives us a glimpse of the future and a shot at how our schools can shape it for the better. The time for transformation has come. Questioning Education will inspire you to be part of it."

—Andy Hargreaves, Emeritus Professor, Boston College

"It is now widely understood that we need to transform the purpose and practice of education everywhere if we are to stand any chance of thriving together (with each other and the planet). But for many people the idea of transformation remains rather distant and vague. And even for those who are fully convinced of the need for transformation, it can be difficult to know where to start in effecting change. Sean Slade’s book, Questioning Education, is one of the rare resources that provides a clear and reasoned approach for anyone who wants to get practical about transforming their school or education system. Whether you are new to the idea of transformation or a seasoned veteran, there are ideas here that will help you and your community effect change that is rooted in your deepest ‘why.'"

—Ross Hall, co-founder The Weaving Lab