| |
Leave No Child Behind, by James Comer, (Yale University Press, 2004), offers parallels between the initiatives being undertaken in MCPS to close the achievement gap and the programs and philosophies Dr. Comer has been propounding for more than thirty years. Having personally discussed his research and recommendations with Dr. Comer, for me reading this book reinforced my belief that children's success does depend on "the village." Dr. Comer teaches that turning around a failing school system involves providing support for a child's complete social, emotional, and academic development, and requires the collaboration of parents, educators, and the community.
Dreams from My Father, by Barack Obama, (Three Rivers Press, California, 2004), is Obama's personal account of his search for a racial identity. As the child of a black African father and a white American mother, Obama speaks about his divided ancestry and his place in the multi-racial society of the United States. The untimely death of his father inspired Obama to embark on a soul-searching journey that took him from New York to Kansas, Hawaii, and Africa. Obama, a rising political star, gained insights during his travels that are instructive as we learn to live together in an increasingly diverse community.
Confidence, by Rosbeth Moss Kanter, (Crown Business, 2004), identifies that characteristic as the key to success. Confidence, she writes, "explains the culture of success and failure" and "influences the willingness to invest." In that respect, gaining the confidence of one's clients is the key to "shaping the ability to perform." Kanter believes winning is self-perpetuating, and so is losing. Where the book gets really interesting is when Kanter talks about what causes winning streaks to end. What are the factors that can make the difference between a few manageable setbacks and the start of a downward slide into failure? This book is powerful reading for leaders - or anyone on a team that looks to achieve or maintain success.
As
the Future Catches You, by Juan Enriquez, (Crown Business,
New York, 2001), brings you face to face with the effects
modern technologies are having on every
aspect of our lives. The author blends stories and data to make powerful statements
about our future. Writing in a very readable format, Enriquez pulls you along
on an illuminating, astonishing, breathtaking ride.
Good
to Great, by Jim Collins
(HarperCollins Publishing, New York, 2001), presents
little known case studies with the intention of teaching that greatness in corporations
is a matter of choice by those who lead them. The most important choice is to
select the successful team around you and to have the right people in the right
position.
The
Dance of Change, by Peter Senge
(Doubleday, New York, 1999), looks at the challenges
we face in bringing about change
initiatives to organizations. By
exploring learning organizations, Senge show that sustained change is only possible
by building leadership and working together.
Inequality
at the Starting Gate, by Valerie E. Lee and David T. Burkam (Economic Policy
Institute, Washington, DC, 2002), is a great introduction
to socioeconomic
factors that affect our young children in their pre-school years, a critical
but often overlooked fact in the achievement gap evident in our schools today.
Starting Gate complements our own MCPS studies in early childhood and together
they show the need to focus efforts to level the playing field of those who show
up at the kindergarten door.
Undaunted
Courage, by Stephen E.
Ambrose (Simon & Shuster,
New York, 1997), as a lifelong fan of history, particularly American history,
I got a fresh look
at the events leading up to expedition of Lewis and Clark and the adventure
itself. I have experienced the same prairies and Rockies
and Ambrose tells the story
the way it should be told—around a campfire on a starry night. |
|
