From the Inside-Out

This diverse group of authors and world-class educators have joined forces to light up the sky with illuminating stories of hope and possibility, along with a warning flare about the unacceptable state of America’s schools. We must change course dramatically, fundamental, and ‘now’, if we are to save our system of public education and our children’s futures. The authors call upon those “outsiders” who have controlled America’s public education system for the past 30 years to admit their monstrous failure and step aside. It is time for “insiders”, teachers and their students, to join as partners and co-create our nation’s schools and classrooms, based on student-centered, equity-driven, inquiry -based, project- oriented, talent-focused, forward-looking teaching and learning practices, along with the elimination of testing and expanded use of formative assessment as the core elements of school transformation. This essential book shows how the authors are creating rigorous new learning models and new relationships between teachers and learners that are breathing joy, life, and dreams of a bright future for every child into our schools and classrooms. Their important stories show us what we can achieve tomorrow, if we have the will and courage to stand up together and reclaim teaching, learning and our schools today. -- Bill Preble, Professor of Education, New England College; Executive Director, Center for School Climate and Learning, Henniker, NH
The authors make the case on why our educational system needs to be transformed, not reformed. They state (perhaps surprisingly) that reform is easy, while transformation is difficult. True transformation will lead to immediate, lasting benefits for the major stakeholders involved in education (students and teachers) and ultimately lead to a better situation for all. Reformation of education seems to satisfy no one except politicians and testing companies. The authors go on to explain there is a mountain of evidence that the traditional mathematical pathways offered by many colleges and universities are a barrier to success for most students. While the corequisite models being developed by many of these institutions of higher learning show promise, they are only the beginning of the change necessary. They propose an idea that would be found blasphemous in most traditional departments: eliminating testing as the major form of assessment. -- Brian Beaudrie, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Northern Arizona University
The authors energy and determination to implement a vision that addresses the needs of all students in constructive collaboration with educators is clearly represented in this book. This is a timely offering and a must read for anyone committed to constructive dynamic change. -- Gail Okerman, Educational Consultant and coauthor of Developing Minds
No one would argue that the world has changed dramatically since the Industrial Revolution. However, our educational system has stagnated, clinging to a past that no longer exists. In failing to keep pace with the world around it, it has failed an ever growing portion of the students that it is intended to serve by not helping each and every one to reach their full potential. Furthermore, it has failed industry by not providing the workforce necessary to compete in today’s global economy, and it has failed society by not giving all students the skills necessary to support themselves as contributing members of society. Our educational system is in dire need of transformational change. Inside is a refreshing, thought provoking and broad ranging collection of ideas from multiple experienced perspectives on how to begin this process today and make this much needed transformation a reality. -- Ron Michalak, Head Orthopedic Surgeon, Monadnock Hospital, father of three college-aged children