The Hardest Questions Arent on the Test: Lessons from an Innovative Urban School |  | Author: Linda F. Nathan
Publisher: Beacon Press
List Price: $24.95
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Seller: udiscernbooks
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 11607
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.7 x 1
ISBN: 0807032743
Dewey Decimal Number: 371.2070974461
EAN: 9780807032749
ASIN: 0807032743
Publication Date: October 1, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The Boston Arts Academy comprises an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse student body, yet 94 percent of its graduates are accepted to college. Compare this with the average urban district rate of 50 percent. How do they do it? This remarkable success, writes Principal Linda Nathan, is in large part due to asking the right questions—questions all schools can consider, such as: • How and why does a school develop a shared vision of what it stands for?
• What makes a great teacher, and how can a principal help good teachers improve?
• Why must schools talk openly about race and achievement, and what happens when they do? With engaging honesty, Nathan gives readers a ring-side seat as faculty, parents, and the students themselves grapple with these questions, attempt to implement solutions, and evaluate the outcomes. Stories that are inspirational as well as heartbreaking reveal the missteps and failures—as well as the successes. Nathan doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but seeks to share her insights on schools that matter, teachers who inspire, and students who achieve.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
Wonderful Book November 16, 2009
John Vogel
Linda Nathan has written a remarkable book. She has a keen ear for dialogue, and her vignettes make for interesting and enjoyable reading. On a deeper level, she does ask the tough questions like how to deal with the achievement gap that exists even in schools like the Boston Arts Academy. And on an even deeper level, the book inspires even those of us who teach graduate students to try to do more and to try to do things differently.
an education for everyone November 12, 2009
art librarian (Boston, MA)
As a reader not involved in K-12 education directly this book is a wonderful view into the challenges and issues confronting educators today. It is eminently readable and full of stories that show the terrific commitment of administrators, teachers, students and parents to a school they see as worthy.
A must read for all educators! November 8, 2009
Wahl-E (cambridge, ma United States)
This is one of the best education books I've read in a while, because it's so focused on solutions -- actual, concrete things you can do in a school. I really struggled to put it down every night, and when I finished it, my head was full of ideas that I am anxious to put into action. I am an administrator at a summer program for middle school students, and the book was surprisingly relevant to our work. It reassured me that we're moving in the right direction, but it also challenged me, because it highlighted just how much more we have to do.
Theory Into Practice and It Works! November 2, 2009
Jean K. Michaels (Boston,MA)
To be truthful, I know Linda Nathan and have visited the BAA several times as I worked in the same district. Most amazing is that Linda is still there practicing what she preaches. Thoughtful theory lived every day. Read page 62. As a former teacher trainer, I appreciate her comments on how to change people, and
thereby change schools. I heard the same naysayers during other reform initiatives. Ten years later, staff turnover/retirement
has started. To me this is the real test of whether the school endures. And will it sustain, endure, and growth if/when Linda
retires? Her inspiration and leadership are amazing, although the whole team is top notch. My one criticism of the book is perhaps
a reader cannot capture the genuine affection in the school's atmosphere. Perhaps not appropriate for Linda to say it but I can as an outsider. Note also, the school continues to evolve after the period discussed in the book. Even onto an international stage.
Quite remarkable. BAA proves, creative, amazing schools can exist and they can exist in large urban districts. Lots of people made it happen including colleges, corporate partners, and dedicated Board members. What the book covers, however, is the vision,mission,and teaching practices that made the school take shape and become a success.
buy this book October 28, 2009
for city kids (Cambridge, MA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of the most thoughtful and introspective books written by an educational leader that I've ever read. It is surprisingly honest and Nathan takes on topics that school principals often gloss over or couch in off-putting educational jargon. If you care about creating effective schools in urban communities, this book should be on your reading list.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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