About the Book

Praise for the First Edition:

"Barr and Parrett have provided educators, policy makers, and parents with an outstanding resource. If you′re serious about leaving no child behind, this is the one book you need to read."
—Bill Scott, Executive Director
Kentucky School Boards Association

Praise for the Second Edition:

"We now have the tools to ensure that all our students are successful—what a glorious time for schools, thanks to Robert Barr and William Parrett!"
—Nancy Golden, Superintendent
Springfield Public Schools, OR

Improve achievement for all students with winning strategies that respond to NCLB requirements!

Demonstrating that both struggling students and low-performing schools can show dramatic improvement, the authors provide lessons learned from experienced teachers to help educators effectively instruct students who are disadvantaged, culturally diverse, or who may be at risk. Featuring the voices of students, teachers, and administrators, this field-tested guide reviews NCLB mandates and encourages educators to:

• Establish priorities that focus on student learning
• Create a school and classroom climate of respect
• Maintain high expectations for academic performance
• Rely on results-driven instructional and assessment practices
• Collaborate with parents and families

Saving Our Students, Saving Our Schools, Second Edition, is a valuable resource for educators who want to ensure positive school change and support academic success for their students.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Part I. Accept the Challenge to Teach All Students 1. Confront the Challenges Our Schools Have Changed Who Are the At-Risk Students? Compelling Conclusions 2. How Schools Fail Students and Manufacture Low Performance Destructive School Policies, Programs, and Practices The Myths That Perpetuate Ineffective Practices 3. Establish the Commitment to Educate Children and Youth at Risk Take a Stand Lessons Learned Low-Performing Schools Can Improve Part II. 50 Proven Strategies for Schools and Classrooms 4. Understand the At-Risk Student Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #1: Recognize That Any Student May Become At Risk Strategy #2: Predict Youth Behavior Based on Developmental Assets Strategy #3: Appreciate the Resilient Student Strategy #4: Address the Differences Between Boys and Girls 5. Educate Poor and Culturally Diverse Students Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #5: Connect Culturally for Effective Teaching and Learning Strategy #6: Work With the Externally Centered Student Strategy #7: Understand the Problems of Low-Income Students Strategy #8: Eliminate Ineffective and Destructive Interventions Strategy #9: Use Effective Programs for Teaching Low-Income Students 6. Establish Priorities That Focus on Student Learning Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #10: Develop a Comprehensive Plan Strategy #11: Build a Profile by Collecting and Using Data Strategy #12: Set Goals, Targets, and Timelines Strategy #13: Create Time for Collaboration, Planning, and Development Strategy #14: Facilitate Continuous Improvement: The Critical Importance of Results-Driven Leadership 7. Collaborate With Parents and Families Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #15: Encourage Parent and Family Engagement Strategy #16: Build Effective Partnerships Among Families, Schools, and the Community 8. Create Caring Classrooms, Schools, and Communities of Support Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #17: Create a Community of Support Strategy #18: Create a Common Vision Strategy #19: Establish Alternative Schools Strategy #20: Develop Small Schools and Schools-Within-Schools Strategy #21: Provide Effective Transitions 9. Create a Climate of Respect in Schools and Classrooms Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #22: Recognize Early Warning Signs Strategy #23: Bully-Proof Classrooms and Schools Strategy #24: Create Reentry Opportunities for Expelled Students 10. Expect High Academic Performance Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #25: Motivate Students Strategy #26: Teach to Multiple Intelligences Strategy #27: Confront Tracking and Retention Practices Strategy #28: Initiate Targeted Professional Development Strategy #29: Create Career-Theme Schools and High School Academic Majors Strategy #30: Help At-Risk Students Pass High-Stakes Tests 11. Teach All Students to Read Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #31: Guarantee That Every Child Learns to Read Strategy #32: Implement Effective Literacy Practices and Programs K-12 Strategy #33: Employ One-on-One Tutoring Strategy #34: Start Early Strategy #35: Redesign Grades K-3 Strategy #36: Continuously Assess Reading Progress 12. Select Results-Driven Instructional and Assessment Practices Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #37: Personalize Instruction Strategy #38: Recognize the Critical Importance of an Aligned Curriculum Strategy #39: Select Research-Based Instructional Practices Strategy #40: Use Homework Effectively Strategy #41: Require Student Portfolios, Projects, and Performance Exhibitions Strategy #42: Incorporate Technology Across the Curriculum Strategy #43: Create Assessment-Literate Classrooms 13. Support Social and Emotional Growth Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #44: Create Student Mentoring Programs Strategy #45: Establish Service Learning Programs Strategy #46: Teach Peer Mediation Strategy #47: Build Self-Esteem and Respect Through Student Leadership 14. Use Community Resources and Services Unconventional Wisdom: What Works for Experienced Teachers Strategy #48: Embrace the Community as a Classroom Strategy #49: Develop Communitywide, Extended-Day Programs Strategy #50: Become a Full-Service School Part III. Summon the Will to Leave No Child Behind 15. The Inalienable Right to a Quality Education With Liberty and Justice for Some? The Emergent National Consensus: No Child Left Behind Breaking Free From Ignorance The Fifty Strategies 50 Strategies Suggested Reading References Index