Schools That Work: Where All Children Read and Write (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

by Richard L. Allington (Author), Patricia M. Cunningham (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book describes the critical features of school organization plans (e.g., professional roles, organization of time, curriculum, student assessment, professional development, parental involvement) that can support or impede developing more effective educational settings.

• A revised and updated discussion on reading includes the most current findings on exemplary elementary reading development and instruction and on the importance and nature of effective classroom teaching. Added highlights on using technology for both teacher and student development are included.
• Readable and practical while grounded in proven practices and current research.
• Includes information on where to obtain specific materials that will support changing schools for the better-even providing toll free telephone numbers.

This book offers a clear view of how schools must change if they are to meet the increased demands of education for the 21st century. Drawing on their experience as teachers, administrators, researchers, reformers, evaluators, and school consultants, Allington and Cunningham examine the policies, practices, and organizational plans that enhance or impede learning both in the schools of today and in the schools of tomorrow. This book picks up where the coauthor's other book, Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read and Write leaves off, with a focus on how to craft school organization plans that foster expert classroom teaching.

Richard L. Allington is the Fien Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He was a co-recipient of the Albert J. Harris Award from the International Reading Association for his "contributions to the better understanding of reading and learning disabilities". Dick is also a past president of the National Reading Conference and has been elected to membership in the Reading Hall of Fame. He is the author of over 100 research articles and several books, including Classrooms That Work: They Can all Read and Write, Schools that Work: All Children Readers and Writers, and What Really Matters for Struggling Readers.

Patricia M. Cunningham is a professor of Education at Wake Forest University. She has authored and co-authored several books promoting literacy, including Phonics They Use: Words For Reading And Writing, Reading And Writing In Elementary Classrooms: Strategies And Observations, Teachers In Action: The K-5 Chapters From Reading And Writing In Elementary Schools, and Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read And Write.

From the Back Cover

This book describes the critical features of school organization plans (e.g., professional roles, organization of time, curriculum, student assessment, professional development, parental involvement) that can support or impede developing more effective educational settings.

* A revised and updated discussion on reading includes the most current findings on exemplary elementary reading development and instruction and on the importance and nature of effective classroom teaching. Added highlights on using technology for both teacher and student development are included.
* Readable and practical while grounded in proven practices and current research.
* Includes information on where to obtain specific materials that will support changing schools for the better-even providing toll free telephone numbers.
This book offers a clear view of how schools must change if they are to meet the increased demands of education for the 21st century. Drawing on their experience as teachers, administrators, researchers, reformers, evaluators, and school consultants, Allington and Cunningham examine the policies, practices, and organizational plans that enhance or impede learning both in the schools of today and in the schools of tomorrow. This book picks up where the coauthor's other book, Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read and Write leaves off, with a focus on how to craft school organization plans that foster expert classroom teaching.

Richard L. Allington is the Fien Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He was a co-recipient of the Albert J. Harris Award from the International Reading Association for his "contributions to the better understanding of reading and learning disabilities". Dick is also a past president of the National Reading Conference and has been elected to membership in the Reading Hall of Fame. He is the author of over 100 research articles and several books, including Classrooms That Work: They Can all Read and Write, Schools that Work: All Children Readers and Writers, and What Really Matters for Struggling Readers.

Patricia M. Cunningham is a professor of Education at Wake Forest University. She has authored and co-authored several books promoting literacy, including Phonics They Use: Words For Reading And Writing, Reading And Writing In Elementary Classrooms: Strategies And Observations, Teachers In Action: The K-5 Chapters From Reading And Writing In Elementary Schools, and Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read And Write.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 2 edition (July 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080133246X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801332463
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #853,155 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful book on how to help all children become literate, November 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Schools That Work: Where All Children Read and Write (Paperback)

With over fifty combined years of experience between them, educational researcher/ consultants Richard Allington and Patricia Cunningham have many ideas to offer in their new book, Schools That Work: Where All Children Read and Write. The book is a natural follow-up to their first collaborative effort, Classrooms That Work: They Can All Read and Write. It is lengthy, but highly engaging, and offers practical, research based ideas for those who envision and want to work toward moving their school or school system toward being one where all children become literate. Because American society has changed, and is changing, at such a rapid pace, Allington and Cunningham contend that the current organizational structure of schools, while being well intentioned, is outdated. Existing structures do not effectively meet the needs of all children, especially those who are at the highest risk of school failure. Therefore, they believe that educational interventions that offer "more of the same" will not work to fix the inadequacies in today's schools. Because many schools are stuck, looking toward traditional solutions, huge amounts of federal and state money are being poured into educational programs such as developmental kindergarten, transitional K-1 classes, retention, and remedial, resource and bilingual programs that aren't effective in helping all at risk learners learn to read and write. Throughout the twelve chapters of the book, examples of effective large and small-scale school restructuring efforts in real schools are described. These descriptions are very helpful in illustrating the authors' key points. Models such as the Coalition of Essential Schools, Success For All, the Accelerated Schools Model, Reading Recovery, School Power and Schools for the 21st Century are included. Chapters of the book are organized around central themes of school organizational plans such as instruction, professional roles, allocation of time, parent involvement, assessment and curriculum materials. I will briefly summarize these chapters to give an overview of their content. In the chapter on curriculum, Cunningham and Allington offer many ideas for getting real reading material into the hands of children. Popular methods of literacy instruction are also described, but it is clear that the authors do not believe there is one best way to teach reading and writing. Instead, they advocate for quality instruction delivered in a multifaceted approach. This position is similar to that taken in Best Practices in Literacy Instruction, edited by Gambrel, Morrow, Neuman and Pressley, a resource text for teachers of literacy. Allington and Cunningham then go on to describe essential components of quality literacy instruction. One of the important points of the book is that "good schools are a collection of good classrooms" and that the job of everyone who works at a school is to support and enhance classroom instruction. An important point is made that while most instruction for at risk students slows down the pace of instruction, what is most effective is accelerating their learning through more and better instruction so that they are able to catch up with their peers. Concerning the issue of how instructional time is used; a chapter is devoted to describing effective classroom management practices that maximize the amount of time available for actual reading and writing. Innovative ways of creating more instructional time such as allowing teachers to work on flexible schedules opens up the possibility of students receiving extended amounts of instruction before and after school, in Saturday School and summer school. In the chapter on assessment, strategies for evaluating literacy programs and progress are given. Ideas for utilizing authentic assessments such as observational records, writing samples, narrative comments, interviews, self-evaluations, portfolios and anonymous student testing are presented.

Because schools can change only as fast as the instructional practices of teachers change, Allington and Cunningham devote a chapter to advice for supporting the professional development of teachers. The authors believe that systems need to allocate greater amounts of their resources toward professional development, as well as offer administrative and collegial support in order for teachers to remain life long learners who continually develop new areas of expertise. As our changing society affects schools, it affects families too. Most children now come from single parent families or families where both parents work. Because the authors believe that schools cannot be fully effective without parent support and involvement, ideas for improving parent outreach programs are described. Innovative ways to improve communication between schools and families, involve parents in school decision making processes, and create family literacy programs and interagency family support services that help break cycles of illiteracy and poverty are provided. A chapter is set aside for offering additional ideas for developing the literacy skills of special populations of children, such as those with learning disabilities and those who speak English as a second language. In another chapter, a tour is given through a hypothetical school that reflects some of the basic themes in the book. Readers are then prompted to take a tour through their own school and look for examples of effective practices they would like to see more of, as well as ineffective practices they would like to see decreased. The final chapter of the book offers some relief to the reader, who may at this point be overwhelmed with the scope and scale of school restructuring that needs to be done. Allington and Cunningham caution, though, that there are no quick fixes in education, and that successful reform efforts are done gradually with the long view in mind. Restructuring often begins with a small group of people, or even with one person at a school. Is that person you? Do you believe that all children can learn to read and write, and would you like to help them do so? If you think so, this book could be an invaluable resource that gets you thinking about large-scale changes by starting small. Read it and pass it along to someone in your school, as someone in my school passed it along to me. Who knows what might happen next?

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the few truly outstanding education books., January 26, 2003

By A Customer

With over ten years as a primary, intermediate, and junior high teacher, I have read lots of education books. This may end up being the book that helps me the most in helping improve myself as an educator, and in helping the school improve itself. This book was jam-packed with great ideas of what truly makes a good school. "Schools That Work" is geared for both principals, teachers, and anyone else in the education field. After reading this it makes for a great reference book. The book is well organized into the different components that make a good school. Also, it has great book, magazine, and web resources throughout the entire book. In short, buy this book without hesitation--it is that good!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE BOOK, July 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Schools That Work: Where All Children Read and Write (Paperback)

Allington and Cunningham provide excellent insight as to what all schools need to ensure quality instruction to students. This book is a must for all educators, especially administrators. I am a Special Education teacher and a graduate student. I refer to this text often.