Battling the Student Engagement Front: Fresh Tactics in a Tortured Turnaround Struggle

(Hardback)

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The school finance debate has profoundly shaped the educational reform landscape over the past four decades. Most conspicuously, judges level billion dollar decrees based on scant and conflicting findings. This book sought to explore whether school funding practices satisfy the equity and adequacy standards delineated by policymakers and judges, and demanded by the broader public. A funding formula myopia, the book argues, has left student engagement largely overlooked. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that vast funding enhancements have introduced disappointing outcomes results. The book argues the front of the classroom must become and remain the epicenter of reform activity: and that transforming instructional and engagement behaviors are effort-intensive endeavors that very little in pecuniary terms. In the end, an eye on the student engagement/pedagogical ball over the long run will deliver the results that cash infusions simply cannot. The book concludes by documenting how educational leaders can go about driving such desirable learning/instructional behaviors, and the quantified test score gains that can be expected to follow.

Reviews

With over 25 years invested in public education, I can attest that Justin Collin's insight is right on target! School reform must begin in the classroom with a focus on student engagement for sustainable change. Without 21st Century critical thinking skills as the paramount focus in public education, students will not be ready for our fast-paced ever-changing world. This will be a must-read for all front-line educators -- the teachers! -- Elise W. Kail, Midland, TX
Clear and compelling this book is an invaluable resource for all educators. It is well written with keen insight into teacher pedagogy and its profound effect on student engagement and ultimately performance. Thought-provoking and insightful, Battling the Student Engagement Front is a must read. -- Maggie Cuellar, area superintendent, Alief ISD
Great observations and information is shared on the future of schools and public education. These will enhance teacher educator and administrator leadership skills. Student achievement will also become a positive result. -- Carl Montoya, Superintendent, Brownsville ISD
Justin Collins has written a highly engaging book that is provocative at every step of his analysis. He makes the case that advocates and judges have mistakenly focused on achieving equality of funding rather than achieving educational quality within the current funding context. Collins asserts that the latter option is possible. In the end, he leaves us with a hopeful and uplifting message. -- David Herring, dean, University of New Mexico Law School

Author Bio

Justin A. Collins holds undergraduate and Master degrees from the University of Virginia along with MBA, Ph.D. (K-12 Educational Administration) and law degrees from the University of Missouri.Collins returned home to Southwest Missouri and currently resides in Springfield.