In Our Own Words: StudentsO Perspectives on School [Paperback]

Jeffrey Shultz (Editor), Alison Cook-Sather (Editor), Maribelis Alfaro (Contributor), Quentina Judon (Contributor), Kristin Dunderdale (Contributor), Steven Marzan (Contributor), Dorothy V. Holt (Contributor), Darreisha Bates (Contributor), Margo Strucker (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0847695662 | ISBN-13: 978-0847695669

If educational reform is to succeed, it must attend to the perspectives of students--those most directly affected by schooling but least often consulted about its efficacy. This is the premise of the first book both to feature student perspectives on school and to foreground student voices; middle and high school students are the primary authors of the eight chapters collected in this volume aptly titled In Our Own Words. Reflecting differences of gender, racial, and ethnic background, and school context, the student authors write passionately and eloquently about their experiences of and desires for school. Through their explorations of topics as diverse as bilingual education, class cutting, teacher bias, race relations in school, what girls need from their education, and innovative curricular models, these student authors not only counter stereotypes of apathetic teenagers but also clearly identify what hinders and what supports their learning. For both the insights offered and the freshness of the students' voices, this collection is a must read for anyone who has a stake in making school a place where students can and want to learn.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The authors urge educators to concentrate on the school's role in supporting student learning rather than on the "best practices," to concentrate on the relationship between students and teachers, and to connect change to grades, not to large scale asssessment. They also offer several other suggestions, but one that stands out is to make students participants in reform. (Perspectives On Urban Education )

If education reform is to succeed, it must attend to the perspectives of those most directly affected by schooling but least often consulted about its efficacy--the students. This book features eloquently written perspectives by students about their experiences and desires for school. (Hispanic Outlook )

The volume offers a variety of useful models for co-authorship with students. (Anthropology & Education Quarterly )

In Our Own Words offers a lively and vivid account of students’ experiences within school. The students’ voices are fresh; their stories are engaging. It is should be of interest to a wide group of people concerned about education. (Lareau, Annette )

About the Author

Jeffrey Shultz is professor of education and coordinator of Multidisciplinary Programs at Arcadia University. He co-edited Journeys Through Ethnography: Realistice Accounts of Fieldwork (with Annette Lareau).

Alison Cook-Sather is assistant professor and director of the Bryn Mawr/Haverford Education Program. She co-designed with Ondrea Reisinger a programmatic approach to including high school students' perspectives in undergraduate, secondary teacher preparation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847695662
• ISBN-13: 978-0847695669
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,367,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)