Book Review: Schools in Crisis

Schools In Crisis
By Nicole Baker Fulgham
Zondervan, 2014
English, 96 pgs

Description:
IT'S A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT CAN BE SOLVED. Schools in Crisis is for parents, mentors, and friends who want kids to succeed. Five simple numbers to determine your future. In many ways, America's children are at the mercy of their zip code. They are either raised in a zip code zoned for a public school with quality education or a public school with poor education. This education will set the trajectory for their future---for better or for worse. Educational inequity is one of the biggest social problems of our time. But it can be fixed within our lifetime. And each of us, whether we have school-aged children or not, has a role to play. Schools in Crisis is part of the FRAMES series - short yet meaningful reads on the top issues facing us in today's complex culture. A new kind of book brought to you by Barna Group, to help you read less, and know more.

Millions of children are not fulfilling their God-given potential in many of our nation’s classrooms. Their potential and purpose is literally being left on the floor of classrooms in many low-income communities. What may God have called them to do? How will a substandard education possibly prohibit them from accomplishing that purpose? In what ways are Christians and churches accountable for that? How are we our brother and sister’s keeper with respect to a quality education?

Join Nicole Baker Fulgham, formerly on the national staff of Teach for America and the founder of The Expectations Project, as she explores what our role is in solving the nation’s crisis for public education. This Barna Frame explores a critical topic of our time – Schools in Crisis

Review:
This is a very concise and clearly written compilation of results from the Barna Group's research on public schools. There are easy to read graphics throughout the book. The author is writing from a Christian perspective, yet it encourages readers of all faiths to get involved in the school system. It's obviously in need of attention. And not just from parents with kids enrolled. It tackles a sticky topic of "armchair educators", meaning those who look at it and think they know what it best but aren't willing (or able) to do anything about it. It basically tells you to get up and do something about it if you think you know what it needs. A little harsh, but pretty accurate.

I have a 1st grader in a public school and as good as our school seems to be, he just isn't happy. He isn't being allowed to learn at his own pace. The perception I have is that the kids all need to be "the same" and being "smarter" or "a better learner" isn't allowed. Why can't kids achieve? There's nothing wrong with it and making them adhere to the common core standards and the state testing standards doesn't allow learning "beyond the test".

I received a copy of the book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.