Looking for Hope in Struggling Schools

Reviews the book, "It's being done": Academic success in unexpected schools by Karin Chenoweth (see record 2007-03268-000). This is an optimistic book that profiles 15 public schools across the country, both elementary and senior level, in which all children are achieving high academic standards. Schools that are highlighted in this book have a majority of students of color, living in poverty, with dismal achievement records in their past. Now, through a group of dedicated teachers and principals who refuse to give up, the children in these schools are exceeding expectations, with achievement scores at or above grade level. This book tells the story of how children in schools that are facing many challenges can be successful. This book would make an excellent set of readings for any program of teacher education, educational leadership, or any sociology and/or political science course with a focus on communities and schools. The chapters (school stories) are short and include demographic, testing, and interview data. Both undergraduate and graduate students would find the book a practical addition to a theory-based course. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)