Embracing Risk in Urban Education

Curiosity, Creativity, and Courage in the Era of "No Excuses" and Relay Race Reform

By (author) Alice E. Ginsberg

Not available to order

Publication date:

01 February 2012

Length of book:

144 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

ISBN-13: 9781607099505

At a time when American urban public education is under broad attack, and in which America is perceived as a nationat risk that is losing the race to the Top, educators and politicians from across the spectrum are promoting increased emphasis on standardized testing, business models of school reform, zero tolerance, no excuses, promoting cultural assimilation, and building a standardized curriculum. Ginsberg argues that in the effort to reduce the achievement gap and mitigate the pejorative label of ‘at-risk,’ we are in danger of eliminating risk from education entirely. This is especially the case in urban schools with large numbers of poor and minority students. Ginsberg explores alternative approaches to student achievement at four dynamic Philadelphia public schools. This book provides a grounded, close look at alternative and innovative pedagogies which embrace risk through an emphasis on critical inquiry, cultural diversity, global awareness, project-based learning, collaboration, community partnerships, and student activism. The result? Schools which can nurture a new generation of students who are not only smart and literate but can think help preserve American Democracy while furthering the quest for peace, unity, equity, and social justice.

Preface: When RISK is a Four Letter Word
Introduction: Why Embrace Risk in Education?
Chapter One: The New Three R’s in Public Education: Relay Race Reform
Chapter Two: A Mission to Question: CriticalInquiry, Creativity and Risk
Chapter Three: Courageous Conversations: Teaching, Cultural Identity and Risk
Chapter Four: When Superman is Delayed: Social Justice, Student Activism, and Risk
Chapter Five: Unlocking the Schoolyard Gate: Geography, Community and Risk
Conclusion
Appendix A: Contemporary Educators Respond: “How would you define embracing risk in urban education?”
Bibliography
Index

All educators can learn from the key ideas, school and teaching examples from this book. Anyone who is interested in further understanding the core concepts embedded in the book, the nature and character of these schools and model teaching examples, and what they imply for a 21^st century education, then read Embracing Risk in Urban Education.