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Engaging the Disengaged
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Engaging the Disengaged
How Schools Can Help Struggling Students Succeed

Edited by:

October 2007 | 304 pages | Corwin

"An inspiring book! Easton's clear, compelling writing is made more vivid by the wonderful real-life examples."
—Dennis Sparks, Emeritus Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

"Principals—particularly secondary school principals—should find this book and Easton's earlier work to be all the basic resources required. It is comprehensive and deals with the critical issues of the day."
—Richard W. Clark, Executive Vice President
Institute for Educational Inquiry

Create an integrated system of support for struggling students!

Based on Lois Brown Easton's experience working with disengaged learners, this insightful resource helps educators make positive connections with youngsters of all ages who are at risk of failing or dropping out. Featuring the voices of educators and students, this invaluable text covers methods for improving the schoolwide climate in ways that support all students and for creating a learning environment that promotes academic, personal, and social growth. The author illustrates how to make meaningful changes in curriculum and instruction and examines the importance of:

  • Teacher-student relationships
  • Innovative teaching strategies for struggling learners
  • Developing self-directed learners
  • Using appropriate assessments for students with learning difficulties

Easton's book inspires teachers to make a significant change in their school's culture to engage developing minds and champion all learners, regardless of socioeconomic factors.


 
Preface
 
Introduction
 
About the Author
 
Section 1. Improving the Culture for Struggling Students
 
1. From a Testing to a Learning Culture: "What About Test Scores?"
 
2. Relationships Are as Important as Content: "What Do You Mean, Build Relationships? My Job Is to Teach History."
 
3. Intentional Learning Communities Foster Learning: "What's Community Got to Do With Learning?"
 
4. How Principles Govern a School Better Than Rules: "So, What About Discipline?"
 
5. A Democratic School Helps Students Learn: "What's Democratic About Schools?"
 
Section 2. Improving Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Struggling Students
 
6. Developing Curriculum According to the Right Standards: "What About Standards?"
 
7. Innovative Instructional Strategies Help Students Learn: "How Do You Get Them to Learn?"
 
8. Learning From Assessing Learning: "How Do You Know They've Learned?"
 
Conclusion: The Importance of Looking at the Student as a Whole Person
 
Resources: Part A. About Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center
 
Resources: Part B. Test Score Data From Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center
 
References
 
Index

"Principals—particularly secondary principals—should find this book and Easton's earlier work to be all the basic resources required. It is comprehensive and deals with the critical issues of the day."

Richard W. Clark, Executive Vice President
Institute for Educational Inquiry

"An inspiring book! Easton's clear, compelling writing is made more vivid by the wonderful real-life examples."

Dennis Sparks, Emeritus Executive Director
National Staff Development Council

"The teacher who knows how to re-engage a child in his or her own learning is a treasure indeed, as is the school that supports such a teacher. Easton tells the stories of these teachers in one such school. They are stories from which all teachers—and principals, school boards, parents, and students—can learn."

Ted and Nancy Sizer
Coalition of Essential Schools

"Easton's book shares realistic and inspiring examples of the kind of engagement that transforms kids' lives."

Horace: The Journal of the Coalition of Essential Schools, Winter 2007

“This insightful and invaluable resource is about changing the culture of schools to be more humane for struggling learners. Filled with real examples, it inspires teachers to create an integrated system of support that can make a significant change in their school’s culture to engage developing minds and champion all learners, regardless of socioeconomic factors.”

Sirreadalot.org, November 2007

"Should be required reading for any teacher."

California Bookwatch, December 2007
Midwest Book Review

“This is a very practical text strongly anchored in theory. By looking at the ‘so what’ and ‘what now’ sections at the end of each chapter, teachers have an opportunity to practice some of these lessons. Easton presents an excellent analysis of self-directed learners, and looks at constructivist and traditional classrooms as well as project-based and experiential learning.”

Education Libraries, Spring 2008, Vol. 30(3)

"The author defines engagement as what happens when students 'want to learn and keep learning.' She strongly believes that it is central to the purpose of education and can occur for all students when 'challenge and skill are well-matched.' Easton’s book provides a road map for change in school culture, curriculum, and instruction for all grade levels."

Curriculum Connections, Spring 2008
School Library Journal
Key features
  • Ideas can be adapted for any type of environment
  • Full of student voices
  • "So What" and "Now What" sections in each chapter help readers translate the ideas into practice

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781412949996
$45.95