Waiting for ""SUPERMAN"": How We Can Save America's Failing Public Schools

Participant

Sep 2010 · Sold by PublicAffairs

About this ebook

Each book includes a 15 gift card from DonorsChoose.org to give to a classroom in need.

The American public school system is in crisis, failing millions of students, producing as many drop-outs as graduates, and threatening our economic future. By 2020, the United States will have 123 million high-skill jobs to fill -- and fewer than 50 million Americans qualified to fill them. Educators, parents, political leaders, business people, and concerned citizens are determined to save our educational system. Waiting for "Superman" offers powerful insights from some of those at the leading edge of educational innovation, including Bill and Melinda Gates, Michelle Rhee, Geoffrey Canada, and more. Waiting for "Superman" is an inspiring call for reform and includes special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving the schools in your own community as well as throughout the nation. For parents, teachers, and concerned citizens alike, Waiting for "Superman" is an essential guide to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing America's schools.

Ratings and reviews

American's do not accept any personal responsiblity for anything. Here are some examples: Large Chain stores with a garden section clear the entire garden section of customers when they are hosing the ground because someone might slip and fall and file a lawsuit against them. Insurance premiums from homeowners, to auto, to even healthcare are outragious because of fraud. Parents defend their kids when teachers call them to notify them of social problems in the classroom instead of taking responsibility. If we don't take responsibility it still does not change reality. Reality always wins. Students must take responsibility and study for a minimum of 1 hour each day after school and listen in class without a constant threat of fear. Teachers should make sure that every minute of class is dedicated to the standards of their curriculum and that students follow established routines. Teachers should make the curriculum relevant and interesting to the students. Students will learn if they actively participate in the curriculum. (This is more then just taking notes) Students are more willing to learn if they believe that their teacher accepts them. Students have better attendance if they want to attend the class. (This is where the teacher must make sure that the curriculum is also fun and enjoyable.) Teachers must post homework and updates on a website for students and parents to see after school. Teachers should have a smartphone to receive emails from parents so they can respond within a couple hours or less. Hint for teachers, get a Magic Jack Phone line to call parents at home in the evenings. Do not use your personal cell phone to call parents. Parents can retrieve your number even if you block it because it will still appear on their phonebill. The school administration must make sure that the teacher has all the materials and technology for a 21st century classroom. No, classrooms that look like the 80's and 90's don't work today. Hint, students today do not like to sit and watch a video the entire period nor will they learn from it. If media is used, short video clips with a hands on activity or discussion is how students learn today. I am a middle school teacher with nearly 90 percent of my students proficient or advanced with urban classes of more than 40 students. The 10 percent left over is due to lack of personal responsibility as stated at the beginning. Wake Up America!

About the author

Karl Weber is a writer and editor based in New York. He collaborated with Muhammad Yunus on his bestseller Creating a World Without Poverty, edited The Best of I.F. Stone, and, with Andrew W. Savitz, coauthored The Triple Bottom Line: How Today's Best-Run Companies Are Achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success -- And How You Can Too. He edited the previous bestselling Participant Media Guides, Food, Inc., and Waiting for "Superman."