Synopses & Reviews
Praise for Stop the School Bus"Tirozzi offers the voice of wisdom, reason, and experience to the current overheated debate about how to reform our schools."
—Diane Ravitch, author, The Death and Life of the Great American School System
"Tirozzi's heart-wrenching look at today's public schools and the teaching profession should serve as a clarion call for everyone who cares about our nation's future. Educators have no time to waste in demanding the change our schools need and in leading the change we seek."
—Dennis Van Roekel, president, National Education Association
"Gerry Tirozzi knows public education in America from every angle—when he talks about education, everybody should listen. This candid appraisal of current reform efforts pulls no punches in its criticism of recent federal intrusions into local control. This book may well propel Tirozzi into the role of champion for America's public schools."
—Dan Domenech, executive director, American Association of School Administrators
"This book raises the overlooked question: 'Whose school reform movement is it anyway; or whose should it be?' In a powerful way it makes the point that ideology must not trump science, professionalism, and experience. It is a must read."
—James P. Comer, MD, MPH, Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry, Yale Child Study Center
"At a scary time, when legions of 'reformers' substitute rhetoric for reality, when influential opinion leaders use unsubstantiated ideology to press for misguided and destructive programs, Gerry's words give strength and direction to all those working to improve America's public schools."
—Jamie Vollmer, author, Schools Cannot Do It Alone
"In this timely and powerful indictment of recent misguided school reform efforts, Tirozzi implores everyone to get on board and move the metaphorical bus in the right direction for school improvement."
—Gail Connelly, executive director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
Synopsis
How to put school reform initiatives back on trackFrom one of the largest organizations of public school principals, this book exposes many misguided school reform initiatives that are negatively impacting students and educators across the country, and recommends ways to make them more effective. Veteran educator Gerald Tirozzi addresses all the hottest school reform trends including: charter schools, teacher merit pay, Race to the Top, Common Core State Standards, and more.
While some reform efforts are bringing about positive change, Tirozzi argues, many make egregious promises, lack a research base, fail to address the needs of students and educators, and utilize a "smoke and mirrors" depiction of success.
- From NASSP, the leading association of U.S. public school administrators
- Offers solid, actionable ideas for getting school reform back on track
- Tirozzi is former Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education under President Clinton
This passionate, engaging book is filled with specific recommendations as to how each of the reform initiative presented can be improved upon and can lead to more meaningful school reform.
Synopsis
Stop the School BusThe endless parade of recent educational reforms has produced a nation of frustrated teachers and stressed-out students who must perform to a test rather than satisfied teachers and children who display a love of learning.
Co-published with NASSP, one of the largest organizations of school principals, Stop the School Bus exposes the many misguided school reform initiatives that are negatively impacting students and educators across the country. Veteran educator Gerald Tirozzi reveals what it will take to overcome ineffective reform initiatives so that we can build and sustain a profession of teachers who advance student learning.
Throughout the book, Tirozzi puts the hottest school reform trends under the microscope and examines reform efforts including: charter schools, merit pay, alternate certification, Race to the Top, School Improvement Grants, and more. He also discusses the often misleading comparisons to student achievement in countries like Singapore and Finland. Tirozzi argues that while some reform efforts are bringing about positive change, many make egregious promises, lack a research base, fail to address the needs of students, and utilize a "smoke and mirrors" depiction of success.
Filled with specific recommendations to improve upon each of the reform initiatives presented, this passionate and engaging book should be required reading for anyone who wants to get American school reform back on track for success.
About the Author
Gerald N. Tirozzi, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized leader in education. From 1999–2011 he served as Executive Director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the preeminent organization and the national voice for secondary school leaders. Previously Tirozzi served as Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. He currently consults to school districts in the areas of strategic planning, recruitment, and enhancing school board-superintendent relationships.
Table of Contents
About the Author vii
About NASSP ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xvii
Part One America’s Teachers: "We Are the Heroes We Have Been Waiting for"
1 To Teach or Not to Teach? How Reforms Are Killing the Profession 3
2 Alternate Certifi cation Is the Answer: But What Was the Question? 15
3 Performance Pay for Teachers: Separating Myth from Reality 37
4 Teacher Bashing: To What End? 51
5 Getting Teacher Reform Back on Track 59
Part Two Charter Schools: Helping or Hurting School Reform?
6 Charter Schools: A Dream Denied 91
7 The Equity Problem 103
8 Charter Schools: Innovative and Effective? 113
9 Getting Charter Schools Back on Track 121
Part Three International Comparisons: How They Should and Shouldn’t Drive Reform
10 "Oh, to Be in Finland!" A New Look at the Programme for International Student Assessment 133
11 A Trip Down Memory Lane 149
12 Getting International Comparisons Back on Track 157
Part Four The Federal Role in School Reform: Problems and Solutions
13 Federal School Reform Initiatives: What Happened to Local Control? 165
14 Race to the Top and School Improvement Grants: Helping Schools or Holding Them Hostage? 183
15 Getting the Federal Role Back on Track 195
Conclusion 231
Endnotes 235
Index 251