Breaking Through: Transforming Urban School Districts

by John Simmons

Book Overview

Is it possible to fundamentally improve the daily workings of the urban classroom in less than seven years? According to John Simmons, it will take a revolution in the way that leaders of urban school systems think and operate, from the classroom to the boardroom. In this ambitious volume, Simmons and a stellar group of contributors, including Linda Darling-Hammond, Richard Elmore, Michael Fullan, Charlotte Danielson, Susan Moore Johnson,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807746576
• ISBN13: 9780807746578
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Teachers College Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Advanced Praise for Breaking Through

"A handbook for the transformation of schools and districts, chock full of authoritative recommendations; it promises to become an essential resource for both experts and novices." - Howard Gardner, Professor of Education and Cognition, Harvard Graduate School of Education; and author, Multiple Intelligences "This book hits all the right notes: it calls for an honest, hard look at the incoherence and dysfunction of "a system designed to fail." With courage and clarity, Simmons and his colleagues are calling for an unprecedented, long-overdue emphasis on what we've wandered so far from: a top-to-bottom focus on instructional improvement-and the most powerful, proven (but still overlooked) means of achieving it." - Mike Schmoker,Author, Results: The Key to Continuous School Improvement "The nuggets of wisdom imparted throughout this book have been field tested under combat conditions. Reformers not having the time for this book will have plenty of time to wish they had-too late." - Michael A. Strembitsky, Former Superintendent, Edmonton Public Schools (Alberta, Canada) "Teacher union leaders and other school and community leaders need to work together if we are to close the achievement gap and bring high quality learning to all of our students. This book provides many powerful strategies for doing just that." - Reg Weaver, President, National Education Association "What a tremendous resource this book will be in helping transform urban school districts! Strict adherence and dedication to principles is key to changing the structures and systems, but it's the belief in the people that will effectively change culture." -Stephen R. Covey, Author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness "This thoughtful volume provides some clear thinking on the `how' and `what' of urban school reform. The authors provide a sensible, coherent vision for strengthening systems, improving practice, attracting outstanding educators, and transforming urban schooling." - Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute "Breaking Through's greatest contribution may be the hope it offers for the creation of school districts that truly serve all their students." - Dennis Sparks, Executive Director, National Staff Development Council "Finally, a book that skillfully and thoughtfully synthesizes the accumulated knowledge and experience of those who know what it takes to make education excellent for all students. This reference should be only a reach away for every practicing educational leader and required reading at every college or university administrator preparation program." - Robert Ewy, Director of Planning, Palatine School District (Illinois), 2003 Baldrige Award winner "A wide array of diverse and key voices--i.e., practitioners, researchers, policymakers, share their knowledge, successes, and struggles in designing smart school districts. A must read." --Warren Si