Achievement Matters: Getting Your Child the Best Education Possible [Hardcover]

Hugh Price (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As president of the National Urban League, Hugh B. Price established the Campaign for African-American Achievement, a program to advance American children's academic success. He shares the program's philosophy in Achievement Matters: Getting Your Child the Best Education Possible. Advising parents to "encourage children to read anything, from baseball cards to comic books," to "take your youngsters on field trips and to work" and to "make sure [your child's] school knows that you are actively involved in your child's education," Price lays out a plan for parents to inspire their children to achieve. Agents, Barbara Lowenstein and Madeline Morel.-- school knows that you are actively involved in your child's education," Price lays out a plan for parents to inspire their children to achieve. Agents, Barbara Lowenstein and Madeline Morel.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

President of the National Urban League (NUL) since 1994, Price seeks to empower blacks by promoting education as the great equalizer in American society. His inspiring stories and practical tips urge parents and caregivers to unlock their children's potential by emphasizing the following: communicate the love of learning and reading; encourage children to seek out friends who are serious about their academic achievement; encourage the use of language to express feelings and needs; read aloud to young children, beginning with bedtime stories; take children on outings where reading and discussion are a natural part of the experience. Educators can utilize this valuable resource to enable parents and community members to become active partners in their children's academic success. Public library education reform, community programs, and general education collections will make a good home for Price's work, which builds on his earlier To Be Equal (o.p.) and complements a NUL/Scholastic booklet Read and Rise: Preparing Our Children for a Lifetime of Success (www.nul.org) and Janie Victoria Ward's The Skin We're In: Teaching Our Children To Be Emotionally Strong, Socially Smart, and Spiritually Connected. Highly recommended for all collections. Leroy Hommerding, Ft. Myers Beach P.L. Dist., FL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758201192
• ISBN-13: 978-0758201195
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,607,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Reading for African American Parents, May 10, 2004

By 

R. Jordan "egorho" (Memphis, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Achievement Matters: Getting Your Child the Best Education Possible (Hardcover)

This is by far the best book on preparing children for success in school that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The book is FILLED with valuable information for parents in ensuring that their child's educational journey is a successful one. Mr. Price is very open about his own experiences in his academic life and his children's. It is so important for African American parents to stand up for our children in schools. The public educational systems can sometimes work against our kids and this books give you the signs to look for. This is the perfect book to give new parents and parents with children near school age. My son is 11 and and STILL find the book to invaluable. I let him read many of the chapters to reinforce things we've already talked about. "Acheivement Matters" will definitely a part of my home library for years to come. But the book. I promise you won't be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Blueprint For Success, September 18, 2003

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Achievement Matters: Getting Your Child the Best Education Possible (Mass Market Paperback)

ACHIEVEMENT MATTERS by Hugh B. Price is a blueprint or step-by-step guide for parents and students alike to utilize for educational success cumulating in success in life. Sounds simple, right?

ACHIEVEMENT MATTERS is written in a simplistic manner and appears easy enough for many to understand. Within this text Mr. Price, former President and CEO of the National Urban League, points to all entities responsible for a child's success in school and methodically explains their role in this success. Highlighted are some of the successful educational programs the National Urban League facilitates throughout the country through their affiliated chapters such as Standards Keeper and Read and Rise. Read and Rise appears as an appendix and is a great resource for parents and teachers. ACHIEVEMENT MATTERS goes as far as presenting statistical data on the poor state of public education, especially within the large and small inner cities and rural areas, throughout the country. Also highlighted is the necessity for parents of affluent school districts to keep an eye on their children and teachers. These schools have a tendency to allow average students to fall through the cracks and place their concentration on high achievers.

One area that resonates throughout the text is that education starts at home and long before a child enters school and day care. Parents and caregivers are a child's first teachers. Other areas brought to the foreground in the book include critical ages for healthy development, parental involvement with constructive and respectful collaboration, parents being leaders by example, raising parent and teacher expectations on children and reading comprehension skills.

One question I had that was not answered is-what can be done with students that start behind the eight ball at birth-no parental support, drug addicted parents, no extended family, transient life style, defeatist attitude and the list goes on. What can be done? I highly recommend ACHIEVEMENT MATTERS for parents, students, teachers administrators, churches and community groups. Purchase the book, read it and refer back to it often. There is a wealth of information inside.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

4.0 out of 5 stars Good advice, March 14, 2010

By 

CTHEJAGIRL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Achievement Matters: Getting Your Child the Best Education Possible (Hardcover)

I find that this book is simple, and to the point in it's approach, but has a wealth of information. Very beneficial for those who are first generation college graduates, or raising that first to be college graduate. Helpful in building that foundation that many Blacks are still trying to build/re-build.