The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice [Paperback]

Thomas Armstrong (Author), David Elkind (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 141660457X | ISBN-13: 978-1416604570 | Publication Date: November 2006

Educators, politicians, parents, and even students are consumed with speaking the language of academic achievement. Yet something is missing in the current focus on accountability, standardized testing, and adequate yearly progress. If schools continue to focus the conversation on rigor and accountability and ignore more human elements of education, many students may miss out on opportunities to discover the richness of individual exploration that schools can foster.

In The Best Schools, Armstrong urges educators to leave narrow definitions of learning behind and return to the great thinkers of the past 100 years—Montessori, Piaget, Freud, Steiner, Erikson, Dewey, Elkind, Gardner—and to the language of human development and the whole child.

The Best Schools highlights examples of educational programs that are honoring students’ differences, using developmentally appropriate practices, and promoting a humane approach to education that includes the following elements:
*An emphasis on play for early childhood learning.
*Theme- and project-based learning for elementary school students.
8Active learning that recognizes the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of adolescents in middle schools.
*Mentoring, apprenticeships, and cooperative education for high school students.

Educators in "the best schools" recognize the differences in the physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual worlds of students of different ages. This book will help educators reflect on how to help each student reach his or her true potential, how to inspire each child and adolescent to discover an inner passion to learn, and how to honor the unique journey of each individual through life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Developme (November 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141660457X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416604570
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been a writer and speaker for twenty-five years, focusing on the diversity of ways in which people learn and grow. I like to read (my favorite writer is Jorge Luis Borges), paint, meditate (I do mindfulness meditation), and play Scrabble (even though my wife usually beats me). I'm particularly excited about my new book (out in May 2010) called Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Brain Differences. It suggests that we think about brain diversity in the same way we think about biodiversity and cultural diversity. I used to work as a learning disability specialist and was disheartened by the negative labels we throw at children. I believe we need to honor and celebrate the uniqueness of each learner. My book Neurodiversity focuses on the strengths and abilities of people with mental health labels, including autism, dyslexia, ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities. I hope that you buy Neurodiversity, and tell other people about it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tells What's Wrong With The Schools... Again, January 22, 2007

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice (Paperback)

This book introduces another educational philosophy, Human Development Research and urges educators to invent a new discourse surrounding the philosophy. I don't disagree with the author's beliefs, but I have trouble with how infatuated education is with "discourse" of any kind. All school reforms have seemed to be child centered at first and I'm not sure they work out that way. The standards movement was actually child centered when it began too. The author makes good points and this book can be very valuable if it stops this NCLB "achievement" oriented reforms. I just fear how it will apply in the future if people jump on board. We always end up with standardized tests and rote learning in the end.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every teacher should take this in mind!, August 23, 2010

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C. Guerrero "book eater" (Lima, Perú) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice (Paperback)

Dr. Armstrong explains in an amazing way the problems we could find on education today, at all levels, and the best is, that he also gives us Examples of Developmentally Appropiate Practice, according to the characteristics of every development stage. I totally recommend it for teachers and parents.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, January 14, 2012

By 

Mimi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice (Paperback)

Although I bought this book to help me with research for a class,I enjoyed reading it. It is an eye-opener. If you are a college student or someone who works in education or human development field, buy and read this book.