Breakthrough by Michael Fullan, Peter Hill & Carmel Crevola provides a guideline for instructional reform based on diagnostic-prescriptive instruction designed to address the needs of all students. It is just one of many books by Michael Fullan published this decade on the topic of educational reform that could have been included on this list, such as Leading in a Culture of Change, Leadership and Sustainability and The Six Secrets of Change.
- Breakthrough by Michael Fullan, Peter Hill & Carmel Crevola provides a guideline for instructional reform based on diagnostic-prescriptive instruction designed to address the needs of all students. It is just one of many books by Michael Fullan published this decade on the topic of educational reform that could have been included on this list, such as Leading in a Culture of Change, Leadership and Sustainability and The Six Secrets of Change.
- Guiding Readers and Writers by Irene Fountas & Gay Su Pinnell is a foundational text that sets the standard for teaching reading and writing. The strategies in this book were gleamed from many years working with classroom teachers and covers essential topics such as independent reading, guided reading, literature study and teaching for comprehension and word analysis. It's an essential reference for all teachers of reading and writing.
- It's Being Done: Academic Success in Unexpected Schools by Karin Chenoweth offers proof that all students can learn when provided access to best instructional practices. Chenoweth gives real examples of lasting academic success with "challenged" students. Her recently published follow up, How It's Being Done, could have also made this list if only because it is that rare book that details specific strategies used to increase student achievement
- Lead With Me by Gayle Moller & Anita Pankake provides principals with strategies for involving all stake holders in the running of the school. It takes from the work of Michael Fullan, Richard Elmore, Terrence Deal and Roland Barth in its belief that schools are most effective when leadership is distributed throughout the learning community.
- Results Now by Michael Schmoker outlines effective ways for educators to close the gap between acknowledged best instructional practices and the reality of what is actually being taught in the classroom. This is an essential book for those educators who are seeking to use student data for effective differentiated instruction in their classroom.
- School Reform from the Inside Out by Richard Elmore sets forth the challenge that schools are best changed by teachers, administrators and parents rather than through policies that are mandated at the state and federal level. Elmore is a giant in the field of educational reform and has written elegantly for years on the necessity of proper professional development as a way of improving our educational system.
- Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally by John A. Van de Walle is a pivotal work in the field and an essential resource not only for math teachers, but also for ambitious parents who wish to understand how their children are learning math today.
- The Art of Teaching Reading by Lucy Calkins is the bible of reading instruction (as Calkins' Art of Teaching Writing is for writing instruction). Calkins' fingerprints can be seen throughout the work of Ellin Keene, Chris Tovani, Kylene Beers, Sharon Taberski, Debbie Miller and countless other educational writers, many of whom have written books that could have made this list. Her work within the workshop model is the gold standard in the field.
- The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner exposes the large gap between what businesses are looking for in their employees and what schools are teaching. As he did in his book, Making the Grade, which criticized federal and state testing policies, Wagner not only points out the problems but offers valid solutions.
- The Shame of the Nation by Jonathan Kozol takes aim at the disparity in education between inner-city and suburban schools. Kozol has been a long time critic of federal and state testing policies as well as the trend toward more military like discipline in our schools, and while Shame is dated in its references to President George Bush, its message still hits home. Also check out Kozol's Savage Inequalities and Letters to a Young Teacher.
- Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins & Jay McTighe defines the difference between knowledge and understanding and then goes into great detail about how to teach for understanding. It offers a layered and contextual way to develop curriculum and lessons so that students walk away with more than just simple content knowledge. This eloquent piece of work has changed the way teachers plan lessons and is particularly useful in science instruction.
- What Works in Schools by Robert Marzano is part of his "what works" series in which he outlines best instructional, behavioral and leadership practices. It offers practical, proven strategies for increasing student and teacher success.
- Whatever it Takes by Richard & Rebecca DuFour makes the case that professional learning communities - with their school wide systems of interventions - are the most effective way to teach the most challenged students. Richard DuFour is the acknowledged expert on professional learning communities and his book Revisiting Professional Learning Communities is a must read on the subject.
- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin tells the improbable and inspirational story of an American who has set up schools in the most remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Once you read the challenges that Mortenson overcame driven only by his spirit of generosity, America's education hurdles will seem small. His recently published follow up, Stones into Schools, is also well worth the read.
- NurtureShock by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman uses science to challenge many of the commonly accepted philosophies of how to best raise and educate children. In particular, it addresses the question of whether or not the degree to which we nurture our children is actually the best thing for them. Once you read this book, you will no doubt question many of your previously held "good intentions" when it comes to dealing with kids.
- Positive Discipline in the Classroom by Jane Nelson provides a respectful and inclusive way to develop an academically focused classroom. At the heart of her strategy is the daily class meeting, during which students have the opportunity to discuss and solve problems. While many educators like Lee Cantor or Randy Sprick, I prefer Nelson's emphasis on seeking solutions rather than punishment.
- Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents by Karin Piper offers a good, accessible, up to date guide for this quickly growing educational alternative.
- "You're Going to Love This Kid!": Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom by Paula Kluth outlines effective instructional and behavioral strategies for a population of children who are showing up in classrooms more and more each day. This book also serves as a good guide to parents of autistic children who want to ensure that their children are receiving best educational practices.
- Making the Grades: My Misadventures in the Standardized Testing Industry by Todd Farley offers a look at what really drives standardized testing by someone who has worked in it for years. It will make you laugh when its not sending chills up your spine.
- Growing Up Global by Homa Sabet Tavangar offers great guidelines on how to, as the subtitle of the book tells us, raise children to be at home in the world. This is a unique book that addresses the issue of how to prepare our children to be respectful global citizens in a "shrinking" world. It's a very practical, hands on book that provides creative ways to engage children with the world beyond their front door.
- More >
