High-Poverty, High-Performing Schools: Foundations for Real Student Success

(Paperback)

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In a recent international comparative study, the United States public schools did not fare well with the rest of the world. To the disappointment of many, the No Child Left Behind law did little to improve student achievement. Nevertheless, a small pocket of poverty schools worked against the odds of limited resources and performed to new heights of academic excellence. These high-poverty, high-performing schools were studied to identify the common trends and to reveal their secrets of success. The secrets include a unique combination of leadership, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and evaluation. Can the high-poverty, high-performing schools be the success model of our next generation schools As concerned citizens and stakeholders of education, we need to find out how our country can get back on track to become an educational leader again so we may compete in the fierce global economy.

Reviews

High-Poverty, High-Performing Schools pulls from both case studies and proven strategies to examine how the 'have nots' can 'have' the best. With broad strokes and a teacher's instinct for helpful detail, Dr. Ovid Wong has produced a broadly based primer which can be used both as an introduction for aspiring teachers and a challenge to current administrators. The table and graph themselves are worth studying as a review of best practice: excellent teaching in high-poverty neighborhoods is critical for the moral and material growth of our nation. -- Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P., superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools, Chicago, Illinois
A number of relentless high poverty schools show tremendous academic growth and improvement despite the fact that achievement test scores in the United States places its students in the middle of the pack internationally. In Revealing the High-Poverty, High-Performing Schools Dr. Wong delves into all aspects of these schools and shares the success secrets of these schools for others to learn. -- Brian Poelker, Eastern Illinois University
Against the odds, a number of high poverty schools are able to document high levels of student achievement. The effective leaders are able to create a school culture that can transform lives. Exploring the secrets of success for these schools is the key for understanding what needs to be at the heart of our educational systemsocial justice. -- Jeffrey E. Arnold, director, Teacher Leadership, Quality Partnership, Daemen College, New York
I can attest to the fact that high-poverty, high-performing schools are real and that Dr. Wong's suggestions for improvement are a must-have resource for the educational administrator, school board and leadership team. -- Randal Eckart, Ed.D., director, Twin Cities International Elementary School, Minnesota
This book is a must-read for anyone who teaches in, or is an administrator of, a high-poverty school. Dr. Wong gives meaningful insight about the curriculum, how to reach and teach the students, teacher/student roles, and appropriate assessments, as well as just what it means to be a principal in a high-poverty school. This will be required reading for all of my teachers. -- Denise Spells, principal, St. Ethelreda Catholic Elementary School, Chicago
Dr. Wong's book offers lessons built on his study of the performance of extraordinary schools. Studying the culture and practices of eight high-performing but high-poverty schools in the nation, and framing his discussion with sound educational theory, Dr. Wong demonstrates that creating a culture of successfrom the individual classroom to the principal's officegrows out of deliberate leadership, purposeful engagement of teachers, a singular focus on students and their learning, assessment, and accountability. Resources are presented in the service of mission. Theory informs practice, and Dr. Wong enriches the book throughout with practical activities and applications that will help the practitioner know not just what works but how to deliver to high expectations. -- Sunil Chand, professor, Benedictine University

Author Bio

Ovid K. Wong is associate professor of education at Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois. He is an award-winning educator with classroom and central office experience in the public school systems.