Built to Fail
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€50.99
This book argues that American schools are marked by fundamental structural deficiencies that get in the way of student achievement. The structural deficiencies are pervasive. They include the emphasis on grade level, building large schools and districts, and insistence on building comprehensive high schools. These structural deficiencies negatively impact achievement for all kids, but they are particularly detrimental to at-risk populations. In fact, at-risk populations are negatively impacted to such a disproportionate degree that to continue to maintain these structural deficiencies borders on racism at the worst or pure negligence at the least. After identifying the structural problems, the authors consider what the best schools in the U.S. and other countries do to promote excellence. Based on what works, the authors offer suggestions for fixing the broken structure and promoting educational excellence. The book ends with a self-diagnostic tool to help schools and districts identify their structural deficiencies and prioritize an action plan for eliminating those deficiencies.
Dr. Randy K. Trani, past Oregon middle level principal of the year and high school principal of the year, currently works as the Superintendent of Corbett School District in Oregon. During his ten years at Corbett the school has been recognized as one of the top ten schools in the country multiple times by different national presses. He enjoys working with districts around the county who are interested in the Corbett model of education.
Dr. Robert K. Irvine is a partner in the consulting firm PARC Resources and works with nonprofits, Indian Tribes and local governments. In addition, he is an adjunct instructor with Blue Mountain Community College and taught fourteen years for Eastern Oregon University's Distance Education Program.