Books

I decided to take my education anthology home this time. I have been employed by three public school districts as an assistant principal and despite all the talk about applied research, there is seldom any application. Despite all the topics bandied about at workshops and meetings -- mostly intended to impress others in the room -- there is little or no effort attributed to institutional change brought on by academics. So topics on Turn Around Leadership, ISLLC Standards, Learner-centered schools, Small Learning Communities have little real impact on the everyday functioning of most public schools. And particularly those serving indigent communities. The reformers: Senge, Comer, Noguera, Kozol, tend to merit only yawns at staff meetings and "professional development" events -- if they are recognized at all.

And because local politics and job security -- especially in the climate of public-private mergers -- occupy all the strategic thinking of school leaders, progressive instruction for underachieving groups is only given lip-service. Today, administrators in [New Jersey] are too distracted by the seemingly inevitable end of tenure (job security) brought on by the latest evaluation models for principals and teachers. So, I am keeping my books home this time. No longer will they be displayed on my office book shelf for quick reference in case I want to write a persuasive report, or prepare for a presentation. It seems as though no one is even feigning attention. And even though I work in and for communities in poverty, I am going to stop checking for the latest titles from noted advocates and researchers on the subject. Feeble educators suggest that the latest technology is a panacea. Skillful organization posturing and small group maneuvering supersede the best practices in education for needy groups.

I am thinking that the way forward is out...