Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Yes, it is true that this book reads like all the others on the topic, and if you are a highly motivated teacher, much of this book makes perfect sense and is probably something you are more or less doing on a micro level. However, it is useful for schools to use for PD since it gives a framework by which staff can develop a common vision/purpose using data and the "mission statement" to guide their operation. Something to think about is that most teachers get into the profession to help kids and be a positive influence, but the truth is, most of the kids they teach do not "need" them. They already have a loving family and are self-motivated. But it is those other kids who are forgotten that this book seeks to save. Through proper modes of prevention, failure really can be a non-option.

This isn't the cure all, but it gives a good roadmap for how the issue of student achievement, or lack-thereof, can be talked successfully. In end, just remember why you became a teacher.

PD quote: I hope to die during pd, since the transition will be less shocking.

same ideals I have read time and time again,. nothing new and it cost to much.

Just like the man who sold this bill of goods to our school district, this is a complete waste of time. The Amazon system doesn't allow a no-star rating.

Failure Is Not An Option: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement In High-performing Schools is an impressive introduction to enhancing student performance which directly addresses transforming theory into practice and illustrating diverse applications with case studies and vignettes. Failure Is Not An Option develops six guiding principles for creating and sustaining high-performing schools. Also available in a hardcover edition, Failure Is Not An Option is especially commended to the attention of administrators and faculty responsible for providing primary leadership in developing curriculum and policies for meeting enhanced federal and state standards for individual school and school district criteria under the "no child left behind" education standards for student academic performance levels.

Speaks to you as if the author were sitting down for a chat. Excellent text for a Leadership Class. Quick Read!!!