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$15.00
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Date of Publication: 2006
Binding: soft cover
Edition:
Condition: Good
Description: 8vo - 7¾" - 9¾" Tall 0595376738 Ex Library Wraps have rubbed edges, spine is unbent. Pages are clean with no markings in text. Small stain on sheet edges. Minimal library/discard markings.
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
Date of Publication: 2006
Binding: soft cover
Edition:
Condition: Good
Description: 8vo - 7¾" - 9¾" Tall 0595376738 Ex Library Wraps have rubbed edges, spine is unbent. Pages are clean with no markings in text. Small stain on sheet edges. Minimal library/discard markings.
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Escape from Gangsta Island: A Schoolýs Progressive Decline. Paperback – February 20, 2006

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

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Is it surprising to learn that there is a school in the United States where the principal gives away semiautomatic rifles to retiring school personnel? Or where the person in charge is so devoid of common sense that she allows combustible engines to run in enclosed areas in the presence of students?In this astonishing true story, author Bernard Chapin reveals what happened when a once proud school was placed into the hands of a principal with a personality disorder. The administrators of the district, rather than acknowledge their mistake in hiring the principal, work indefatigably to cover her misdeeds while dismissing longtime employees who become aware of her illness.The school soon becomes a place where education is dumbed down, graduations increase due to less restrictive requirements, and every misdeed is excused for the sake of the kids. Escape from Gangsta Island is a comic horror story of a troubled school for troubled teen-agers led by a crazy principal who believed that fun and games lead to Well, even the reality-challenged principal didn't claim students were being educated. Character! That was it, but students were not building character either."-Joanne Jacobs, and author of Our School: The Inspiring Story of Two Teachers, One Big Idea, and the School That Beat the Odds.

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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ iUniverse; 0 edition (February 20, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 396 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0595376738
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0595376735
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.29 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.99 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

About the author

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Bernard Chapin
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Bernard Chapin is an active writer who is passionate about history, literature, politics, and psychology.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2006
As a former teacher who resigned from the profession for similar reasons, Chapin's book hit home with me, bringing out many of the same issues that education must remedy in order to overcome its current downtrodden state.

Chapin's book is wonderfully crafted and exquisitely worded, mixing eye opening anecdotes and clever background details on major characters, so as to augment his theme and stances.

Any parent who wants to understand why public education is in shambles needs to first learn what those in charge are doing and saying, and Chapin elucidates those horrors in a clear, concise way.

As someone who also just finished co-writing a book on educational reform, I highly recommend Chapin's book. You don't find many teachers who can write and relay their thoughts so coherently, much less take a stand against their profession in order to improve it in the long run.
12 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2007
... and it's progressive in more ways than one, as Bernard Chapin's book is one part withering polemic against Newthink in public schools and one part twisted and often hilarious memoir of the downfall of a Chicago alternative high school. A personality-disordered modern day pedagogical Caligula takes the reins of psychologist Chapin's school and he bears incredulous witness as a flammable combination of ill-conceived ideals and plain old simple madness plunges the institution into chaos. If you've ever worked in the public education system, if you've ever had a brush with bureaucratic idiocy, if you've ever doubted your boss's sanity, or if you've ever felt like the one-eyed man in the country of the blind, this book is essential.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2006
If you are an educator this is a great book to read. It depicts what it is like to work in a poorly funded school that has an insane administration. It also shows the troubles teacher face when they work in a area where the students come from ghetto neighborhoods and worship the "gansta" lifestyle. None of the students care what happens during their time spent at school but more amazingly the administration doesn't care about educational enhancement either. Which leads this once nice alternative school down a path of destruction.
12 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2006
This one was not what I expected because it was far more funnier and out of pocket than what I thought could ever be possible in a public school even if it's an alternative school. Chapin is a really good writer apart from some of the spelling errors. The guy needs an editor, but this was a page turner. I read it over the weekend and couldn't put it down. CRAZY!!!
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2007
Book is great reading! It will be enjoyed, especially by all in the Education Field! I would tell all envolved in Education, to purchase this book! I applaude Dr. Chapin!
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2006
This book was an excellent discussion on the difficulties in dealing with troubled students and even moreso difficult teachers and admininstrators. It really asks and answers the question on who watches the watchmen. In this case apparently no one and because of that the students and the high schools they come from ulitmately suffer in the end.
4 people found this helpful
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