The Changing Landscape of Education Reform: Government Officials on Identifying School Needs, Navigating "No Child Left Behind", and Exceeding NCLB's Standards (Inside the Minds)

The Changing Landscape of Education Reform is an authoritative, insider's perspective on the strategic thinking behind developing measurable standards and effective instruction in our nation's schools. Featuring educational leaders from across the country, this book provides a broad yet comprehensive overview of the challenges unique to working in the field of education at the government level, whether as a state superintendent, regional administrator, board of education director, or educational organization executive. From establishing community involvement in schools and advocating for adequate and equitable levels of funding to addressing achievement gaps and creating an accountability system for students, teachers, and schools, these leaders articulate the finer points of federal education policymaking and argue for change. The authors also discuss how No Child Left Behind and other key education legislation has affected the national education system both positively and negatively. The different niches represented and the breadth of perspectives presented enable readers to get inside some of the great minds in education today, as these experts explore our educational system's need for improvement and offer possible solutions. Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world's most respected companies nationwide, rather than third-party accounts from unknown authors and analysts. Each chapter is comparable to an essay/thought leadership piece and is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession, or topic is headed and the most important issues for the future. Through an exhaustive selection process, each author was hand-picked by the Inside the Minds editorial board to author a chapter for this book. Chapters Include: 1. Reg Weaver, President, National Education Association "The Need for Change to be the Norm, Not the Exception" 2. Bill Wagnon, Chairman, Kansas State Board of Education "The Kansas Perspective on Education Reform" 3. Michelle M. Sullivan, Former Chair, Wyoming State Board of Education "Education Reform: The Role of the Community and Clear Vision" 4. Lyonel B. Tracy, Ed.D., Commissioner of Education, New Hampshire Department of Education "From NCLB Compliance to New Hampshire's 'Follow The Child' Initiative" 5. Kathleen N. Straus, President, Michigan State Board of Education "Education Reform for the Sake of Democracy" 6. Howard N. Lee, Chairman, North Carolina State Board of Education "Involvement as the Key in Education Reform" 7. Gerald Zahorchak, Secretary of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education "Leading Reform: Every Child by Name..." 8. Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction "Transformation, Not Education Reform" 9. Cliff Ferry, Former Dean, Nevada System of Higher Education "A Moratorium on Education Reform?" 10. Gail Connelly, Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals "Principals and Education Reform" 11. James R. Davis, Ph.D., Secretary s Regional Representative, U.S. Department of Education Region VI "Looking Ahead in Education Reform" Appendices Include: Appendix A: Standards Aligned Systems, an Overview Appendix B: Data Resources in Pennsylvania Appendix C: Position Paper on NCLB Reauthorization Appendix D: Need for Additional Federal Funds Appendix E: Title I Losses by Pennsylvania District Appendix F: 2008-09 Budget Address, Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak