What is fascinating about this book - and the Success Academy charter school system it explores - is the ease at which these programs could be implemented. I'm not saying that a teacher's job is easy - quite the opposite. But rather than suggesting we draw upon limited resources, such as "throwing money at the problem", what Moskowitz suggests is a different approach entirely, based upon the active involvement of adults and the expectations they hold for their child(ren). As someone who doesn't quite comprehend what people mean when they mention options after high school (options? What options? College was the ONLY option I ever had, as far back as I could remember), this resonated with me, and is aligned with my own way of parenting Ava. On Ava's second birthday, we took her on a detailed tour of our alma mater, The University of Texas, and when we put her potty pennies in the piggy bank and discuss what she's saving for, she can already tell you with pride, "College!" It's sad to me to think that there are children whose parents not only don't expect them to attend college, but don't believe that they actually could. Another phenomenon that Mission Possible explores is about the demoralization of our nation's teachers through stagnation.
In fact, stagnation, being unable to accomplish one’s job at a high level, is one of the greatest sources of low teacher morale. Why do you think this country treats teaching so differently than it does other professions?
The answer, it seems, lies within accountability. So frequently in our nation's schools mediocrity is accepted as the expectation for both teachers and students, leaving teachers less motivated continue their education and training, and without the support and feedback needed to constantly better themselves in the profession. As with students underperforming to lowered expectations, the same happens with teachers - and as this cycle has continued, the expectations have become lower and lower.
Another contributing factor begins in the education of teachers, who are increasingly taught to make lessons easily taught to every child so as not to leave them out or discourage them from wanting to learn. What is overlooked, in this method, is that instead, teachers and teaching down and discouraging everyone else, who become bored and lose interest in learning. They're taught to look at remedial instruction as the bar, rather than the exception.
If you're interested in the goings-on of the public school system and the ways in which it could stand to be improved (and how the Success Academies are doing just that, with proven results!), you'd be wise to take a look at Mission Possible: How the Secrets of the Success Academies Can Work in Any School. You can also interact with Eva herself, either on Twitter or via her Facebook page.
So how can you win your very own copy in time to evaluate your current school choices and make changes before this coming school year? Enter the giveaway below!
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Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post, and received both a copy of the book for myself and for a giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.
