Table of Contents
Foreward Virginia Hines ix
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xix
About the Author xxiii
"Guardian" Katy Farber xxiv
Introduction 1
1 Standardized Testing 5
Effects on School Climate 6
Effects on Curriculum 6
Effects on Teaching Schedules and Learning Outcomes 9
Effects on Students 11
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 14
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 15
The Silver Lining: Personally Fulfilling 16
Hope on the Horizon: Reevaluating Our Standardized-Testing Culture 17
Additional Resources 17
2 Working Conditions in Today's Schools 19
Big Problem # 1: Violence 20
Big Problem # 2: Unsafe Schools 22
Small Problems That Add Up 27
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 28
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 33
Hope on the Horizon: Cities Adopt the Precautionary Principle 34
Success Stories: Green Schools 35
Additional Resources 37
3 Ever-Higher Expectation 43
Unrealistic Expectations 44
The Time Crunch: Do More With Less 44
Professional Development That Doesn't Speak to Real Concerns 46
The Threat to Health and Well-Being 47
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 50
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 52
Success Stories: Professional Learning Communities and Collaboration Time 53
The Silver Lining: Challenging and Always Changing 55
Additional Resources 57
4 Bureaucracy 59
Field Trips: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished 60
Committees: The Death of Creative Ideas 62
Purchase Orders and Closed Budgets 64
Scheduling: Not Ideal for Students or Teachers 65
Policy: Lack of Input 67
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 69
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 71
Success Stories: Real-Life Integrated Learning 72
The Silver Lining: Making Difference 74
Additional Resources 75
5 Respect and Compensation 77
Struggling to Make Ends Meet 78
Paying for School Supplies 81
A Culture of Disrespect 83
The Martyr System: Do More for Free 86
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 88
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 89
Success Stories: A Decent Working Wage 90
Hope on the Horizon: Teacher Pay and Respect in New York and Other States 90
The Silver Lining: Helping Children Learn and Grow 94
Additional Resources 96
6 Parents 97
Unrealistic Demands and No Limits 99
My Child is Always Right 101
Helicopter Parents: Micromanaging the Classroom 103
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 107
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 113
Success Stories: Partnering to Help a Child Read and Participate 116
The Silver Lining: Contributing to a Community Over Time 117
Additional Resources 118
7 Administrators 121
The Pressure Cooker of the Principalship 122
Pressure From Parents 123
Testing Pressure 124
Time Pressure 125
Mentors Help Principals, Too 129
Recommendations for Administrators and Teacher Leaders 130
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 133
Success Stories: Principal Mentors Make a Difference 134
Additional Resources 135
8 School Boards 137
Shared Leadership 138
Uses and Abuses of Power 140
Recommendations for Administrator and Teacher Leaders 142
Words of Wisdom From Veteran Teachers 145
Success Stories: School Board, Administrator, and Teacher Teams 146
The Silver Lining: Buoyed by a Supportive Community 148
Hope on the Horizon: Teaming Up With Teachers 150
Additional Resources 150
Afterword: Final Thoughts 153
References 157
Index 163