Every Mind Matters: Education - A National Priority For An American Renaissance [Paperback]

Nancy Driscoll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2010

Every Mind Matters calls to action every parent, educator, business, and politician in America to demand that education be a national priority. Get an insider's view of public education and a generation of America's children who won't be able to compete in an Asian Century. It is clear that the "right" and the "left" are both wrong on education. Neither high stakes tests nor universal pre-school will solve the problem. Unless America is content with our national decline on the world stage, we must make education a national priority and bring about nothing short of an American Renaissance of freedom, technology, leadership and culture. We need a world-class system of public, private, charter, virtual, and home schools to make our children's education a national priority in our house, the state house, and the White House. Every Mind Matters lays out the challenge and shares the resources we need to achieve America's Renaissance and a secure future for its children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author is a school psychologist with 29 years of experience and mother of five children. She has worked in both public and private schools, has homeschooled her own children, and currently works in public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school level. She is also a consultant on youth at risk of school failure; testing, analysis and accountability; high school redesign; and new approaches to education including Response To Instruction (RTI) and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 144215778X
• ISBN-13: 978-1442157781
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,929,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a school psychologist with 28 years experience in public, private, virtual, and homeschooling, Ms. Driscoll brings a unique inside perspective to the crisis in American Education. Having grown up in America's heartland she watched the moon landing, race riots, and VietNam unfold and asks if today's children are prepared to lead us into the 21st Century. When intelligent children can't read, write, or "do the math", how can they - and America - compete in a global economy? With five children of her own she reminds parents that education is a process, not a place, and that they must get re-engaged with their children and make the best educational choices for them. She is currently school psychologist for a public elementary and high school, working on developing mentoring, a 9th grade academy, the RTI model, all while testing, testing, testing! She is also interested in the latest brain research, backyard gardens, baking, and twittering from edpriority1.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Attention Parents, Caretakers, Teachers, Politicians, August 19, 2009

By 

Colleen Bain "Colleen Bain, M.A. of Enhanced ... (Hillsborough, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Every Mind Matters: Education - A National Priority For An American Renaissance (Paperback)

Every parent or caretaker has been down the road of unsuccessful parent/teacher communication. Teachers have had to deal with one too many parents that drive them to think teaching may not be worth the aggravation. Politicians sit baffled at their desks as they watch CNN report yet another failing economy. What's wrong?

This book let's you know what's wrong and proposes solutions that are easily implemented in little time to save schools and help our economy save money and be productive again!

As a special and general educator and cognitive brain trainer, I love the multitudes of statistics, some even break out per state to show you what you pay in taxes and then Nancy compares your state's overall educational report card - did you get what you paid for Nancy asks! Great. I love it.

I left a career in the classroom because of the frustration and inability to attend to the root cause and not just be compensatory in nature. I chose to set up private practice to get to the root cause of children's struggles with academics. I now work with families across the country with innovative approaches that are quick and easy and very successful.

I have not given up hope for our public schools and work my best to get my successes in the classroom. I am joining Nancy's efforts and consider myself a contributor to shifting the education paradigm in our country.

If you need a concise, all-in-one reference book with great solutions for our nation's educational crisis, I highly recommend you pick up this book. I keep it on my desk at work to reference the statistics and suggested solutions.

The time is now that "we the people" of this great country stand up and begin to help our educational institutions to positively impact the future of our country and children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In your house, in the schoolhouse, in the statehouse, November 19, 2009

By 

steelepierce (Milford, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Mind Matters: Education - A National Priority For An American Renaissance (Paperback)

Nancy Driscoll's book is down-to-earth and straightforward. She writes from years of experience and shares hard data, a call to action, and practical advice. After presenting her case, Driscoll speaks directly to parents, educators, and legislators ("In Your House," "In the Schoolhouse," and "In the Statehouse"). These chapters would make great discussion starters for parent groups, for a faculty book study, or for community organizations. Pick up this readable, accessible book and share with those who care deeply about America and its future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every mind DOES matter--- read this book, August 14, 2009

By 

Andrew J. Wallace "Andy Wallace" (Cary, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Mind Matters: Education - A National Priority For An American Renaissance (Paperback)

I write this as a parent whose children have been educated in public, private, and charter schools. I also write as a businessman and concerned citizen, worried that our education system is not competitive in today's global economy. I wonder what kind of world my boomer generation is leaving to my children and grandchildren.

In today's red state/blue state, grassroots vs. astroturf, "unruly mob" world, there is a lot of noise, a lot of posturing, a lot of soundbite/bumper sticker opinions, but few clear voices stating the problems we face and offering the solutions we need.

This book is points out many of the glaring issues our education system faces, such as:

* 6000 students drop out of school each day.

* Nationwide, 1 of 4 ninth graders do not graduate in 4 years.

* One-half of all minority students do not graduate at all.

* Two-thirds of all newly created jobs require specialized training and education beyond high school.

* Human resource officials noted that 72% of all recent hires are deficient in reading and math skills.

The author also proposes a number of thoughtful positive solutions that won't easily be conveyed on a t-shirt, bumper sticker, or MSNBC. She recognises that the solutions require more than money, they require a commitment and a new way of looking at old problems.

I highly recommend this book to every parent, every teacher, every American citizen concerned about educating the next generation, and who is open to new ideas and new solutions. A terrific book.