Seeds of Tomorrow: Solutions for Improving Our Children's Education / Edition 1

by Angela Engel, Deborah Meier

Overview

This inspiring author moves beyond criticism of public education, uniting readers toward a vision of educating children that is holistic, intelligent, and empowering. Written for parents, teachers, administrators, students, and policymakers committed to children and change, this book offers better alternatives to high-stakes testing. Vivid classroom stories show how education is enriched through individual personal attention-not uniformity. Engel introduces novel school collaborative accountability models ensuring academic integrity and excellence on behalf of students, teachers, and our communities. Uniquely engaging and surprisingly entertaining, Engel's combination of storytelling and research findings offers a comprehensive guide to cultivating future generations of problem solvers and leaders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594517792
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/28/2010
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Angela Engel writes from her experiences as a teacher, parent, school administrator, speaker, and policy advisor. Currently a facilitator for the Family Leadership Training Institute, she earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado–Denver. Her work with state legislators has led to policies that improve learning and opportunities for Colorado’s children.

Deborah W. Meier is currently on the faculty of New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education, as senior scholar and adjunct professor as well as Board Member and Director of New Ventures at Mission Hill, Director and Advisor to Forum for Democracy and Education, and on the board of the Coalition of Essential Schools.

Table of Contents

Foreword Deborah Meier ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

1 High-Stakes Testing–What's Really at Stake 5

2 From Standards to Standardization 25

3 Accountability Feigned 45

4 Challenges 69

5 Choices, Choices, Choices 91

6 Solutions 111

Appendix A Alabama High School Lesson Plan 123

Appendix B Resource Guide 127

Notes 129

Index 139

About the Author 143

Editorial Reviews

For everyone who cares about the well-being of every child, Angela Engel’s Seeds of Tomorrow presents a thoughtful, provocative, and well-documented case for discarding traditional standards when measuring educational achievement. She argues persuasively that such testing frequently results in underestimating each child’s potential for learning, beginning a downward spiral in how children are perceived by teachers and, worse, how they perceive themselves. And while recognizing that public investments in quality education may be the most important thing a society can do for its children, Engel makes the case for the nation concretely addressing poverty, family stability, health care, child abuse, and other needs which make learning more likely. While providing a stark interpretation of how things are for many children, Engel is ever the optimist in how things could be. And to her credit she offers many of the policy and practice changes needed to inspire children to learn—and which restore confidence in adults that constructive change is possible.”

—Michael Petit, President, Every Child Matters Education Fund

"A valuable guide for reconstructing an education that responds to the needs of heart and mind while contributing to a productive and just society."

—H. M. Levin

“From the rare vantage point of a school teacher, scholar, historian and parent, Angela Engels lays out the ingredients and implications of standardized testing for our children. Focused extensively on democracy, she cogently draws out the challenges and offers up solutions to improved student learning. Agree or disagree with her analysis, this book is special in tone, detail, analysis and passion. It is worth every teacher and parent reading Seeds of Tomorrow to understand why and how we have become a nation driven to judge and reshape our educational system through standardized testing, and what our children will lose and gain through this decision. Put your feet up, grab some tea and read this book. Engels writes as if in the kitchen with friends. She is candid, clear and offers up story after story as both a parent and a teacher on the implications of standardized testing in our communities. Not so often do we find complex issues presented in such a lucid manner. This author clearly values the family and her heart is in every child learning with depth and wonder.”

—Elaine Zimmerman, Connecticut Commission on Children and Parent Leadership Training Institute

From the Publisher