Failure Is Not an Option(TM): Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools [Paperback]

Alan M. Blankstein (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1412909341 | ISBN-13: 978-1412909341 | Publication Date: June 21, 2004 | Edition: 1

This resource gives you the tools you need to create effective professional learning communities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Failure Is Not an Option is a deeply passionate call to arms, combined with the wherewithal to take systematic, continuous, and effective action. A must read for all those interested in reform because it is simultaneously inspiring and practical." (From the Foreword by Michael Fullan )

"It puts students first as a moral issue and then examines all the systems and processes that need to be in place to help them. The six principles are excellently articulated, the key literature is identified, and the book is full of strategic and usable implications. This is a practical, well formatted book that is intellectually solid, emotionally inspiring, and practically accessible." (Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education )

"Both inspirational and eminently practical, Failure Is Not an Option can serve as a handbook for both strategic planning and classroom-by-classroom reworking. Any administrator who truly wishes to change his or her school can use this book as a manual from which to design every aspect of the change process." (Robert W. Cole, Educational writer and consultant )

"This book speaks to the spark of caring, generosity, and greatness in every child and provides caring adults with ideas and tools to unleash this potential. It leaves no part of the child behind, and leaves no adult on the sidelines." (Maurice J. Elias, Professor of Psychology )

"Failure is Not An Option is an impressive introduction to enhancing student performance which directly addresses transforming theory into practice and illustrating diverse applications with case studies and vignettes." (Midwest Book Review, October 2004 )

"The book's relatively quick and easy read helps the already busy school leader gain valuable information in a short amount of time. The appendices provide forms, summaries, and examples that can be used to spur discussions at staff meetings as well as help direct the change process." (Principal Navigator, January 2007 )

"A deeply passionate call to arms, combined with the wherewithal to take systematic, continuous, and effective action. Both inspirational and highly practical, this book can serve as a handbook for both strategic planning and classroom-by-classroom reworking." (School Planet, February 2008 )

About the Author

Award-winning author and visionary educational leader Alan M. Blankstein is founder and president of the HOPE Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose honorary chair is Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. A former “high-risk” youth, Alan began his career in education as a music teacher, has worked in youth-serving organizations since 1983, and has created award-winning publications and video staff development programs. He is the author of the best-selling book Failure Is Not an Option®: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools, which received the 2005 Book of the Year award from Learning Forward (formerly NSDC), and has been nominated for three other national and international awards.

A former “high risk” youth, Alan began his career in education as a music teacher and has worked in youth-serving organizations since 1983, including the March of Dimes, Phi Delta Kappa, and the National Educational Service (now Solution Tree) which he founded in 1987 and directed for 12 years.

In addition to authorship of this award-winning book, Alan is Publisher of three Failure Is Not an Option® video series and Senior Editor along with Paul Houston of the thirteen-volume The Soul of Educational Leadership series. Alan also co-authored the Reaching Today’s Youth curriculum and has published articles in Educational Leadership, The School Administrator, Executive Educator, High School Magazine, Reaching Today’s Youth, and Inside the Workshop. Alan has also provided keynote presentations and workshops for virtually every major educational organization.

Alan is on the Harvard International Principals Centers advisory board, served as Board member for Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, is former Co-Chair of Indiana University’s Neal Marshall Black Culture Center’s Community Network and advisor to the Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence (FASE) mentoring program. He also served as advisory board member for the Forum on Race, Equity, and Human Understanding with the Monroe County Schools in Indiana, and on the Board of Trustees for the Jewish Child Care Agency (JCCA), in which he was once a youth in residence.

Presented by The Courageous Leaders Network, this online event featured Alan M. Blankstein and a panel of teachers and school leaders discussing how the principles from Failure Is Not an Option® helped them turn their schools around and raise student achievement. Covered are specific practices and strategies on how they overcame their challenges on using data to drive improvements in instruction on a daily basis, using RTI and comprehensive support to engage ALL learners, and building leadership capacity at all levels to sustain student success. Panelists include Assistant Superintendent Reed Lindley (Pottstown, PA), Principal Anthony Catalano (Thermalito, CA), Principal Shawn Smiley (Ft. Wayne, IN) and Teacher Lettishia Freund (Wichita, KS).
(Length: 79 min)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press; 1 edition (June 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412909341
• ISBN-13: 978-1412909341
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,891 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Relevant and an Easy Read, October 29, 2011

By 

Optimistic Educator - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Failure Is Not an Option(TM): Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools (Paperback)

Failure is NOT an Option is a book that mirrors my personal philosophy of Education. We can never give up on a child. This book shares ways to create systems to ensure that truly no child is left behind.

2.0 out of 5 stars Failure is not an Option, July 21, 2011

By 

Harry Trumfio (Arlington Heights, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Failure Is Not an Option(TM): Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools (Paperback)

I am a retired school superintendent with forty years of experience in the field. I found this work to be a rehash of ideas that have been around for more than a decade. However, that does not mean that implementation of some of the suggestions are not worthy of consideration in schools that have not already adopted a team orientated approach to education.

Harry Trumfio, Ed.D.

4.0 out of 5 stars Education, March 26, 2011

By 

Cy Jurgens - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Failure Is Not an Option(TM): Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools (Paperback)

Alan Blankstein has identified the in district practices and procedures that will allow us in education to become fully professional in service to all students. Four stars only because he does not fully tie in with the other agencies (teacher preparation programs and departments) to fully systematize the renewal and building of local capacity.

It is an excellent read along with Flat World by Linda Darling Hammond and the work and reports of NCTAF.