Organizations Books

This text was a relatively quick read and it confirmed what I had learned in my teacher prepatory classes; however, it is the kind of belief system that some districts have steered away from in attempts to be more in touch with the emotional needs of students (this is not to say that meeting the emotional needs of the students isn't important, however, effort *can* equal achievement! It was in excellent condition; as well.

As other reviewers have noted, Jeanne Chall was passionately opinionated but also extremely well informed from her own decades of experience and research of educational methods. The evidence she presents in this book is wide-ranging, both historically and in subject matter. And her arguments as always are both rock-solid factual and heart-tuggingly persuasive. This is an excellent book that I would encourage as an appropriate and thoughtful gift for any educator.

Parents who are concerned with getting the best education for their children should also read this book. Chall's language is less esoteric here than in her scholarly articles (although this is a scholarly book and her conclusions are consistent with those papers). She demonstrates here that educational methods and research are not too obscure for the general reader.

In fact, her review of 100 years of research and experimentation shows that the common-sense notions held by the layman are correct -- that real teaching (instruction, direction, leadership, not just "guidance") works best to educate children. Chall explains why this is so, and shows the dire consequences of ignoring the facts.

This is an important book because Chall endeavors to provide a historical and social context for understanding the debates about how best to teach the majority of children in schools. Chall invites educators, publishers, parents, and policy makers to look beyond the politics and trends in education, and to focus on the research evidence on what methods get results. She also calls for teacher training programs to empower teachers with the knowledge to examine and question the research they base their practice on. She advocates for using the past constructively to inform choices made in the future. She often said that doctors would never dream of prescribing a brand new treatment without researching past cures and treatments... and yet educators, she said, seemed to reinvent the same ideas over and over without considerating research evidence already gathered. It made her hopping mad.

What is interesting to about this book is the story of it's evolution. Originally Chall drafted a very candid and straight forward manuscript based on the questions and opinions she had developed over 50 years as an educator. The book was going to be quite different from her well known scholarly publications. But then she kept rediscovering bits of newspaper and scraps from nagazines which she had piled away in vast personal collection of snippets -- all of which confirmed her thinking on what was going on in education. She became so excited about each interesting piece of evidence that including them became irresistable for her. But with each new snippet she then felt a need to address alternative viewpoints in order to try and offer a well rounded approach. Having been attacked in the past for her poignant views, I think she found it difficult (or maybe just stupid) to set herself for obvious criticisms. So what would originally have been a very personal argument based on her depth of experience in the field eventually evolved into a scholarly review of the historical evidence. This book -- completed during the last month's of her impressive life -- may not be her best work. But it is certainly her most personal. You just have to read between the lines.

James Popham's book "America's 'Failing' Schools: How Parents and Teachers Can Cope With No Child Left Behind" is an up front and simply written piece that argues why the No Child Left Behind Act is actually hurting our students and schools instead of helping them. Popham explains how school report cards are not an accurate portrayal of a school's credibility, just as standardized tests are not a fair judgment of a student's abilities. He goes on to challenge both parents and teachers alike to speak up against this unfair assessment and demand better tests and more indicators to determine the educational health of our nation's students and schools. Popham's book clarified all questions I had regarding the No Child Left Behind Act as well as broadened my outlook on the negative effects standardized testing has on our country. Although his book contains some bias, he supports his claims and (as a teacher himself) has the credibility to speak his mind.

W. James Popham has written the authoritative guide to understanding the controversial No Child Left Behind Act. He subtitles the book "How Parents and Teachers Can Cope With No Child Left Behind," but he goes beyond his mission by shining a sorely needed spotlight into the esoteric world of assessment in terms lay readers can grasp. In so doing, he explodes the myths surrounding the accountability movement that is affecting all stakeholders in public schools.

It's hard to imagine a more timely volume, given the far-reaching implications of NCLB and the media's inability to pierce the self-serving rhetoric from vested interests of all parties. Popham's impressive background in assessment makes this book a badly needed corrective.

Walt Gardner taught for 28 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He writes frequently on education.

America's "Failing" Schools: How Parents And Teachers Can Cope With No Child Left Behind by education testing expert W. James Popham focuses upon providing parents and classroom teachers with clear, precise explanations of the Bush administration's "No Child Left Behind" doctrine and the implications this policy has for standardized testing, as well as what it means for a school to be declared "failing", and concrete suggestions for what can be done in response to such a school (and school district) condition. America's "Failing" Schools is timely and welcome reading which is especially commended to the attention of concerned parents, classroom teachers, school administrators, citizen groups like the PTA, and governmental policy makers on the state and federal level in the field of K-12 public education.

The railroads, the first national industry, the industry on which giant battles were waged not just between the workers and the employers, but a major factor in farmers fight for land, and their continued fight for their fair share of the profits from their labor. This book talks about the railroad's real history in American capitalism, a history of class struggle, class war. This book also talks about how at a much earlier easier stage of the crisis of capitalism, the railroads themselves
were torn apart by economic crisis, thousands of employees lost their jobs, and the economy of this country was thrown amuck.
Read this now,
because the crisis of the railroads at they were when this book was written in the 1970s is nothing compared to the growing crisis. Read this now because it is written not as nostalgic lying history, or armchair economics, but as a contribution to the need for all working people, not just railroad workers, to know what is coming, know how our predecessors have shown the way to fight, know how to win!

Read this now because a crisis in the airline industry of exactly the same character with questions of nationalization is going on now. Here in Miami where the airlines are a major employer many of my friends and neighbors are afraid that their jobs will be lost. Read this book for them as well!

The labor movement today encounters calls for patriotic sacrifice as well as threats of employer bankruptcy and government attack. We need to be educated on these issues. For example, the Railway Labor Act has recently been used to deny airline workers the right to strike. This book by Dick Roberts tells you how this package of laws was first used against labor in the 1920s, to satisfy the needs of big business. Roberts tells the story of the rail barons' greed and the bailouts they got from bought-and-paid-for politicians. He also tells the story of the great struggles by rail workers. Throughout, the government has backed the railroad companies and called on rail workers to sacrifice in the name of patriotism, just as airline workers are today being pressured in the name of Homeland Security to abandon their right to strike and continue down the slippery slope of take-backs.

A short, lively study of labor and capital in one of the key industries in modern society. The railroads have been one of the biggest money-makers for their wealthy owners from the mid-1800s on, and also one of the scenes of fierce strike battles as bosses brutally resisted workers' demands for better wages, job security and safer working conditions.
I found Robert's detailed look at stock ownership of the railroads in the 1970s very helpful in figuring out how modern capitalism works, and an example that could be applied to other major industries. His discussion of why essential industries such as transportation cannot be left to the mercy of the profit needs of private capital is really relevant for anyone grappling with the economic crises of the 21st century.
Roberts also presents a lively history of capital-labor struggles over the past 150 years. I'd suggest reading it along with the more detailed books on working class leadership in the United States by Farrell Dobbs, especially his two-volume series Revolutionary Continuity.

With so little time spent on caring in the workplace, Giovagnoli shows us all that there are practical, powerful things we can all do daily to make a difference in our workplaces. The book was so well laid out and the stories brought me to tears as well as laughter. Great Angel Advice Corners at the end of each section really help bring the strategies she offers to life. I put the Action Strategies page up in my lunch room as Giovagnoli suggests and last week alone three people brought food treats for my department. For the first time in a long time, this Christmas at the office feels like there are people who care about each other. It's even getting to the point that I look forward to going to work to see what new idea someone has come up with--all from the strategies Giovagnoli recommends.

Angels in the Workplace is by far the best book to come along in years! Workers and employers all over America will improve their attitude and working environment by reading this book. In a time where the knowledged-based workplace is imminent, employers and employees alike are looking for ways to enhance their work life. This is the way! Using Giovagnoli's action steps, your workplace will become a more spiritual and fulfilled place to spend your 40 hours a week.

This is the perfect gift for family, friends, colleagues. I even gave a copy to my boss. I like the way each belief--faith,hope, charity, courage, truth, trust and love have not only stories, but strategies to make them work in your work place. I turn to the book once a day to get ideas and inspiration.

This book is a quintessential guide for hiring a new director and, if methodically followed, results in strengthening your organization in the process. Each chapter opens with its own synopsis. The responsibilities of the search committee are thoroughly outlined & fully enumerated in subsequent chapters. This comprehensive tutorial is followed by appended chapters that reinforce the process with Checklist/Reminders. This book is just about the best "How To: book I have encountered.

This well written and informative book is a godsend to those involved in the difficult job of hiring and keeping top people in the nonprofit world; my many years of doing executive search would have been made much easier had I had this book; Gilvar is great on both concept and details- -a much needed guide for a critical task . Mary K. Eliot

As a current non-profit board chair and veteran of two executive searches, I can attest to the value of Ms. Gilvar's book. Written in a clean, crisp, highly organized style and encompassing both big picture ideas as well as the mechanics of the search process (as well the preparation stage and post(transition) stage), this book provides invaluable guidance to anyone responsible for or interested in a non-profit executive search.

This book by Marc A. Pitman should be read by everyone who is involved in any way with fundraising. It provides a step by step method to ask for funds that is not only effective, but also removes much of the fear that is attributed to fundraising. I enjoyed Marc's perspective and personal stories to make his points. I also learned important techniques from it. Especially in the area of potential donor research. It is easy to read and implement. "Ask Without Fear" is on my must read list.

Since I first met Marc in 1998, I have witnessed a constant champion for the entire fundraising community. Able to relate his experiences in practical ways to inspire others, he's a tremendous asset to the industry.

Bringing his web and consulting presence to your bookshelf, Marc has provided a great resource for beginning volunteers and seasoned professionals in "Ask Without Fear." I plan to purchase several copies for my office to loan out to others. (I won't be surprised when they aren't returned.)

From reminders of what makes you passionate about your organization to helpful ideas that draw others to your cause, Marc's succinct wisdom captured here is worthy for all - trustees, volunteers, staff.

I've been reading and recommending Marc Pitman' s "Ask Without Fear" blog to fellow fundraisers and clients for years, and now I'm doing the same for his new book. It's an excellent, pithy, common sense guide to asking for money. I like how Marc breaks it down to a series of practical steps that anyone can understand and implement. And how he includes practical examples of strategy and language. Most of all, I like his writing style -- he models the kind of enthusiasm that I think is at the heart of effective fundraising. He makes it seem not only doable, but fun!
- Mitch Teplitsky, fundraising filmmaker and consultant (http://www.soyandina.com)

Wow things come around in time. I was a student in Bay County when the events of this book took place. Now I am an educator in Bay County and this book has become my inspiration. I had ReLeah as an instructor last summer and if I had read her book prior to that course, she would have ranked up there with a famous movie star or a professional baseball player with me. That is just how touched I was by this book. I just bless these two women for the fight they put up for what they believe in. When the children's educational freedom, creativity and needs are thrown out the window, and the judgement and integrity of a teacher is questioned by people that don't have the qualifications to question anyone--we have a huge problem in education. I would recommend this book to every educator who has a passion for learning and a passion for teaching--you won't be able to put it down until you are finished- and then you will yearn for more.

My daughter was one of the students at Mowat during the time of the first incident discussed in this book. She, her father, and I attended the described meetings, sent the mentioned flowers of support, contributed to CHOICE, and watched in horror as the ludicrous events accurately herein described came to pass. We could not believe that an area we had moved to for employment and beautiful weather could have such ugly events happening. Now after twenty plus years in Bay County, we know it wasn't a fluke but also know that other towns and counties face similar problems. Encouragement of excellence, of careful and critical thought, and of the sheer joy of books was attacked here in Bay County, and anyone who cares about these issues in our schools should read this book. It will both scare and inspire you. My daughter went on to college honors, a master's degree, and is now head librarian at a girls' school where she is developing a superb collection including something new there -- a YA collection to be read for plesure. Thank you, Gloria and Releah.

As a student of ReLeah's, I had the priviledge to be given a classroom experience which broadened my mind. It was one of the few I have had and the only one to come from my years at Mosley High School. I was a year shy of being involved in the hell that occurred with the school newspaper, but I watched and listened and most importantly learned. I attended a high school were you were on thin ice if you thought for yourself. I graduated with honors and have been doing quite well since then. The most important parts of my education from high school were bestowed upon me from Mrs. Lent's wonderful and caring teaching. I am proud to say I was one of her students when I read this book. It is about time people know about what goes on behind closed classrooms. Read this book, because we all should be so lucky as to realize that the mind is unlimited in its capacity to grow. Thanks for the wisdom.

An outstanding reference for stewardship work. This book explores the role of money in the parish, why it's so difficult to talk about, and what needs to change.

A very good and comprehensive review of where stewardship in the church is in the last ten years. This will take you through motivation, understanding, and give you insights into how to resolve your stewardship dilemas. People who are strugling with stewardship will find this book most informative and helpful. You may not like all that is said but all needs to be said and thought about. Most thought provoking and insightful.

Without a doubt, this is THE best stewardship book I've ever read! Like you, I've endured many a stewardship campaign, technique, and gimmick--only to find it unsatisfying, ultimately. This book examines everything that has been done under the sun in stewardship (be it mainline Protestant, evangelical Protestant, or Roman Catholic), and discusses, rationally, why it is counterproductive in the long run. While it is a big book and does discuss research, it is easily accessible to all. Interestingly enough, I found it hard to put down--it is that good! Buy this one now.

Any small to mid-sized nonprofit that requires funding cannot afford to be without Andy Robinson's book. In a nutshell, he demystifies major donor fundraising and makes it accessible to busy board and staff members. In short, direct chapters he helps remove people's natural fear of the process and instills the sense that asking for money is not only honorable but also incredibly rewarding.

Robinson has written an excellent and pithy introduction to the art of soliciting gifts - it's a relief to have the advice written in a clear and concise manner that's just right for the board member who has any trepidation at all about asking for money but wants a quick primer on how to make a significant difference in their fundraising skills.

What I like most about this book is that it's so practical and seems so doable. I know that most ordinary citizens would probably choose a root canal over the prospect of having to ask someone for a big ($500 to $5000) donation, even for a cause they really care about. But with the help of this book, you'll feel confident that you could really do the things that the author, Andy Robinson, is suggesting. Why? Because Andy de-mystifies the process of fundraising by breaking it down into easily conceivable steps. And, you feel like you can trust him because he seems like a regular guy, not a superhero. If he's done it, then you can too. I like that he shares what's worked for him. An added benefit -- you can read this enjoyable book in less than an hour. (Of course, you'll want to pick it up again and again for its handy advice.)

This is a book that Gary Frye - husband - provided information for but I found it useful because schools are always need more ways of getting funds into campuses to meet NCLB. Since I'm the one who always orders Gary had the follow comments: Working with Stan over the years has given me insights into the need for developing other system for getting funds into school districts. This book is GREAT and helped me think of new always that can use my school district's foundation and development office. Stan has provided another great service to public education by providing folks with a reason why a development/fundraising office it needed.

What a wonderful resource! Dr. Levenson's book is a valuable guide for helping find sources of grants and for better understanding the process of grant writing.

I particularly liked the examples of grant opportunities for K-12 schools and the list of 101 foundations and corporations interested in giving to K-12 schools. The examples of awarded grant proposals provided in the book show you the proper formats and various writing styles for a winning grant.

As a technology education teacher, I feel the section on writing mini-grants will be very helpful in obtaining future grants to further expand my program.

Having actually applied for and been awarded five mini-grants this year, I feel that Dr. Levenson's book will help me take my grantsmanship to the next level. He provides a blueprint for creating successful school grant writing teams and for obtaining major grants to meet larger needs.

As the new fundraising director within a new fundraising organization within a very old chicago public school, i needed to ramp up extremely quickly. I had no NFP fundraising experience whatsoever. I largely credit this book with taking us from zero to $150,000 in the course of several months. I have no affiliation with the author (I'm always supicious of glowing reviews), and in fact was on this page to recommend it to another school that's just kicking off their fundraising efforts. It's comprehensive, has a wonderful collection of docs and support materials, and I continue to pass our two copies around to new members of our team. Seriously, buy this book.