Changing the Odds for Children at Risk: Seven Essential Principles of Educational Programs That Break the Cycle of Poverty

by Susan B. Neuman

Overview

In this insightful and revealing book, the author shows how we can break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage and change the odds for children at risk. Describing how previous reforms have missed the mark, she offers a framework based on seven essential principles for implementing more effective programs and policies. In a highly readable style, Neuman highlights programs that are making a difference in children's lives across the country, weaving together narratives that tell a compelling story of hope and promise for our most disadvantaged children. Chapters address: The Critical Early Years for Changing the Odds, Funding What Works, Helping to Strengthen Families, Quality Early Care and Education, Community-Based Programs, After-School Programs, and The Public Will.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807750483
Publisher:	Teachers College Press
Publication date:	10/28/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Susan B. Neuman is a Professor in Educational Studies at the University of Michigan, School of Education. Previously she has served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments v

Introduction: The Seven Essential Principles vii

1 The Critical Early Years for Changing the Odds 1

2 Changing the Odds by Funding What Works 27

3 The Seven Essentials for Changing the Odds 49

4 Changing the Odds by Helping to Strengthen Families 71

5 Changing the Odds through High-Quality Early Care and Education 97

6 Changing the Odds through Community-Based Programs 127

7 Changing the Odds through After-School Programs 155

8 The Public Will: What It Will Take to Change the Odds 179

Appendix 1 Where to Get Evidence 189

Appendix 2 The Maze of Federal Programs that Provide or Support Education and Care for Children under Five Years Old 191

Appendix 3 Part Scores for Department of Education Programs 193

Notes 199

Bibliography 211

Index 213

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Susan Neuman offers a compelling, first-hand look at what works in education today....We would be wise to learn from her efforts and apply the seven principles she advocates in her book as we try to fix our schools."
—Gov. Jim Hunt, chair, Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy

"An immensely readable book….In a warm and personally caring way, Susan Neuman relates what she considers to be the successes of various government programs, including early childhood education, nurse home visitor, and after-school services,"
—Douglas Besharov, director, American Enterprise Institute's Social and Individual Responsibility Project

Editorial Reviews

Neuman (former U.S. assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education; educational studies, Univ. of Michigan) writes that while schools are in the middle of the largest, costliest reform movement in the history of American education, these reforms, like most others of the past, are unlikely to make a difference in achievement for poor minority children. Many schools are likely doomed to fail in "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB), not because of the "soft bigotry of low expectations," but because millions of children grow up in circumstances that make them highly vulnerable to educational failure. Students who arrive at school from dramatically challenged and unequal circumstances leave school with similarly unequal skills and abilities. The way to improve educational attainment in poor, mostly minority schools is to develop programs that address the poverty and broken family situations of students, which will then allow them to meet the standards of NCLB. Extremely well written, this book belongs in libraries supporting educators, parents, researchers, and policymakers.
—Mark Bay

Library Journal