Thirteen Years of School: What Students Really Think,Used

Product DescriptionRecommendations for improving America's schools arrive from all arenas and spectators including, business leaders, community members, school faculty, administrators, and parents. While many of the proposals are sound and offered with good intentions, few, if any, are given or implemented with student input. Although there is a tremendous amount of research documenting students' achievement, behavior, culture, and dropout rates, very little information comes from students' own point of view. What would students say about their schools, curriculum, administrators, and teachers if given the chance, without repercussions? In this era of accountability and the demise of "good education", their answers are more than pertinent. Thirteen Years of School gives those in grades K12, the opportunity to tell usthe public, parents, and school personnelwhat going to school is like for them and their peers.In this book, author Lisa Scherff has allowed studentswithin 16 different states and 32 citiesfrom a wide range of backgrounds and geographic locations, to submit stories, letters, editorials, and art representing their viewpoints concerning American schools. The topics addressed are:StressFuture goalsFavorite teachersHarassmentHomophobiaFull of humor, heartbreak, and hope, this is a mustread for anyone who wants to make schools better for all students.Review[Scherff] presents a representative collection of [students'] submissions, grouped thematically into chapters covering Eisner's five aspects of schooling, stress at school, what the students have learned so far, what they envision for themselves in the future, positive experiences, and missed opportunities. Reference and Research Book NewsFinally someone recognizes the irony surrounding extensive research that deals with education and schools but lacks the input of their main user, the student. Whether or not students and their opinions are considered a 'valid' cohort for research on education and school reform, the insight that can be gleaned from these frank writings will be useful to anyone in the educational field. VOYARecommended. ChoiceThirteen Years of School honors the voices of the very people the educational system should serve, the students. It offers insight into their opinions of school. Students share what they think is going well, but most of the submissions address what they would like to see changed or improved. Voice that are typically not heard or even asked to speak are the main focus of this book. These voices are the ones that our educational system should listen to carefully. Teacher Leaders NetworkThe author offers commentary at the beginning of each section, but the students' words speak for themselves. Youth TodayAbout the AuthorLisa Scherff is an assistant professor in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee.