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Shift Ed
A Call to Action for Transforming K–12 Education



April 2011 | 184 pages | Corwin

"America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a 21st-century education based upon creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Houle and Cobb make a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough."
—Dan Pink, Author

"As an educator, I highly recommend this book on the transformation of K–12 education. Old ways, repeating the past, and no change are hallmarks of a broken system? Shift Ed outlines the case for building a new system of K–12 education."
—Jerry Ice, President and CEO, Graduate School, Washington D.C.

"The strength of this book is the strong case the authors make for change. They point out how our nation is falling behind in the quest for global supremacy and outline the changes needed to correct that problem."
—Randel Beaver, Superintendent, Archer City ISD, TX

A comprehensive guide to transforming American schools

Futurist David Houle and educational strategist Jeff Cobb issue a "call to action" to everyone who is concerned about education in America. The book begins with a helpful background on the roots of American education, the current landscape, and the forces that are driving transformation. This background supports the author's case that reinventing our system is inevitable and we already have the information and capabilities to make the necessary changes. Shift Ed challenges us to ask the right questions, expand our vision, and take action now. The book includes an overview of the educational system and expert opinions on key areas, including:

  • Technology and connectivity
  • Organizational behavior
  • Curriculum
  • Learning and the brain
  • Infrastructure and the physical plant

Shift Ed is more than a book for educators. Its message is critical for policy makers, school superintendents, education foundation executives, and parents who want to know the facts and be prepared to take the decisive action our children deserve.

Hear what Houle has to say about transformational education:

   


 
Acknowledgments
 
Introduction
 
1. A Quick Look Back
The Agricultural Age

 
The Industrial Age

 
The Information Age

 
American Childhood Education Through the Ages

 
 
2. The Current Landscape of Education in America
A System Out of Sync

 
Not Your Forefather's College

 
Learning - and Relearning - to Work

 
Holding Our Own in the Global Classroom

 
Facing the Issues and Shifting the Vision

 
Change Visions: From Train to Rocket

 
 
3. A Look Ahead
The Shift Age

 
The Twenty-First Century

 
2010 to 2020: The Transformation Decade

 
Change Visions: The Need for New

 
 
4. Generations
Baby Boomers: The Bridge Generation

 
Generation X: A Different Voice

 
Millennials: The Emerging Leaders

 
Digital Natives: Today's and Tomorrow's Students

 
Change Visions: Reconnecting

 
 
5. Why Transformation Is the Only Path
A Change in Form

 
A Change in Appearance

 
A Change in Nature

 
Signals From the Future

 
Change Visions: The New Architecture of Learning

 
 
6. Working on the Shift Ed Vision
Jim Rex

 
Peter Renwick

 
Janice Mattina

 
Karen Woodward

 
 
7. Ask the Right Questions
Technology and Connectivity

 
Calendar and Operations

 
Curriculum

 
Learning and the Brain

 
Infrastructure and the Physical Plant

 
Answering the Questions

 
Preparing Teachers

 
Your Contribution

 
Change Visions: Survival Skills for the Twenty-First Century

 
 
8. Expand the Vision
The New Vision of Education for the Twenty-First Century

 
Four Fundamentals for Twenty-First-Century Education

 
 
9. Start Now!
The Shift Ed 21

 
Parting - But Not Final - Words

 
 
Notes
 
References
 
Index

"Shift Ed’s major strength is awakening Americans, especially the educational community, to the reality that change is here. We must prepare our young scholars for a global society, as opposed to past teaching and learning practices."

Belinda J. Raines, Principal
Northwestern High School, Detroit, MI

“Thanks to David for leading the charge. Shift Ed: A Call for Transformation of K-12 Education is a blueprint for getting it right in education.”

Charles Sosnik, Editor in Chief
Southeast Education Network, Charlotte, NC

“America needs a new educational vision. Shift Ed provides a clear vision that emphasizes the essential ingredients of a 21st-century education based upon creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Houle and Cobb make a great case that nothing less than transformation will be enough.”

Dan Pink, Author

“As an urban educator who is passionate about transformative international education, Shift Ed strikes a deep chord. It is a bold call to action to ensure universal student success in a globalized environment that is always changing.”

Ellen Estrada, Principal
Walter Payton College Prep, Chicago, IL

"David Houle and Jeff Cobb make a powerful case for a transformative shift in schooling, and explain what such a shift might entail. They persuasively and passionately argue that deep-rooted norms need to be fundamentally rethought in tandem with larger technological and social changes. Their vision of what the next decade might hold and their assertion that student-centered, progressive instruction is the way of the future are sure to spark smart discussion among educators, policymakers, and parents wondering what's next for schooling."

Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington, D.C.

"As an educator, I highly recommend this book on the transformation of K–12 education. Old ways, repeating the past, and no change are hallmarks of a broken system. Shift Ed outlines the case for building a new system of K–12 education."

Jerry Ice, President and CEO
Graduate School, Washington D.C.

“Our future rests in the hands of our children, and these hands must be strong to accomplish this great task. Their strength will come from their education but, unfortunately, our education system is failing them. David Houle and Jeff Cobb’s Shift Ed: A Call to Action for Transforming K-12 Education is a powerful voice in the honest conversation that must lead to a solution.” 

Lewis Hollweg, CEO
Batrus Hollweg International, Plano, TX

Shift Ed challenges your educational mindset without being intimidating. I spent the entire read asking myself, “why not?”

R. Jon Frey, Assistant Principal
Columbus High School, Columbus, NE

“We can’t educate the leaders of tomorrow with yesterday’s education model. Houle and Cobb offer a much needed, action-oriented, transformative vision for what K-12 education must become. It’s time to stop talking and start doing. Our future depends on it.”

Rafael Pastor, Chairman of the Board & CEO
Vistage International, Inc., San Diego, CA

“The strength of this book is the strong case the authors make for change. They point out how our nation is falling behind in the quest for global supremacy and what changes need to be brought about for that problem to be corrected.”

Randel Beaver, Superintendent
Archer City ISD, TX
Key features
Includes background research on the educational system and how it has evolved in the first few chapters. The book then makes a call for transformation and brings in expert's voices from many fields to bolster the arguments. Finally, the book offers key questions to ask and plans for transformation in the final chapters.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Houle_Shift_Ed_intro

Houle_Shift_Ed_Ch1


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