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The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve Audiobook
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(3.21) - 128 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
We all know that the quality of education served up to our children in U.S. schools ranges from outstanding to shockingly inadequate. How can parents tell the difference? And how do they make sure their kids get what's best? Even the most involved and informed parents can feel overwhelmed and confused when making important decisions about their child's education. And the scary truth is that evaluating a school based on test scores and college admissions data is like selecting a car based on the color of its paint.
Synthesizing cutting-edge research and firsthand reporting, Peg Tyre offers parents far smarter and more sophisticated ways to assess a classroom and decide if the school and the teacher have the right stuff. Passionate and persuasive, The Good School empowers parents to make sense of headlines; constructively engage teachers, administrators, and school boards; and figure out the best option for their child—be that a local public school, a magnet program, a charter school, homeschooling, parochial, or private.
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"This book was wonderful. I felt it accurately portrayed the state of education today, and it is very insightful as to what parent's can do to help their child(ren) receive the best education available. The author also admits several times that it will be very difficult and in many circumstances there is not a lot that can be done, save for true educational reform. If you have children, it will definitely heighten your level of anxiety!"
— Michelle (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Peg Tyre lays out the fundaments of a good school---and a good education---clearly and without bias.
— Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter -
“Parents who most need this information won’t find it on their own. All the more reason Tyre’s book deserves a place on public library shelves.”
— Library Journal -
“Peg Tyre lays out the fundamentals of a good school—and a good education—clearly and without bias.”
— Peggy Orenstein, author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter
The Good School Listener Reviews
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" Should be required reading for any parent with kids entering preschool. I originally got this from the library, but decided to buy it to keep as a reference (it's that good!) "
— Laura, 2/18/2014 -
" This is a fast read and a crucial book for anyone who is either teaching or sending a kid to school. Relying on a ton of research, Tyre highlights things that work in education--e.g. Tools of the Mind, Singapore math, phonics, aerobic exercise, summer enrichment, and teachers who were good students themselves. She also makes a strong case against the current obsession over high stakes tests. "
— Marissa, 1/10/2014 -
" I was expecting a public-school bashing report but was pleasantly surprised. The author wisely advises looking beyond test scores which is so refreshing to hear! History of different aspects blends in nicely. "
— Sharon, 1/9/2014 -
" Lori loved this. Read it before you send your kids to school "
— Brian, 1/6/2014 -
" This book is a great resource for parents. It provides parents with everything they need to know when choosing a school, e.g., teachers, test scores, curriculum. "
— Qwerty, 12/29/2013 -
" ugh, this book is freaking me out. impossible to really understand how good a school is. "
— Allison, 12/20/2013 -
" I think that this book could make some parents crazy with anxiety. However, I learned a few things in this quick read: plenty of research and at the end of each chapter, a few bullet points on what you can do when it comes to testing, teacher quality, preschool selection, etc. "
— Starr, 12/19/2013 -
" Changed the way I teach both my students and my own children. "
— Sandra, 12/18/2013 -
" I really only read one chapter in depth...the rest I skimmed. Her point about not judging a school based solely on test scores is a good one. I'm coming to believe that administration is one of the best factors for determining whether a school is "good" or not, so make sure to interview principals! "
— Marianna, 12/8/2013 -
" Must read for parents in the US with kids in K-12 schools. "
— Sendhil, 8/1/2013 -
" A brief yet comprehensible view of the American education system that is informative and revealing. "
— Sharai, 10/4/2012 -
" This was a fascinating read. I think it's a great book for anyone interested in their child's education. I learned a great deal. "
— Melissa, 8/28/2012 -
" A quick read for parents... a must read for parents who want the best for their kids, but aren't sure the right questions to ask. "
— Jessie, 4/22/2012 -
" I highly recommend this book to any parent who has children in the public school system. We need to be more aware of what is going on behind the scenes at our children's school. It's so important to ask more questions and be involved in the classrooms! "
— Shayna, 3/6/2012 -
" Very helpful! Would recommend to anyone with young kids...NYC or not. "
— Jen, 2/7/2012 -
" Provides overview of education theories, and summary points on how to evaluate school systems with a generous footnote section and index. "
— Alfajirikali, 1/4/2012 -
" I am already quite daunted at the prospect of choosing the proper schooling for my children. This book did not help me out any in this regard, but it did provide some good information on useful teaching techniques and things that effective schools will do and not do. "
— Nathan, 10/10/2011 -
" Lori loved this. Read it before you send your kids to school "
— Brian, 8/28/2011 -
" This book is a great resource for parents. It provides parents with everything they need to know when choosing a school, e.g., teachers, test scores, curriculum. "
— Qwerty, 8/21/2011
About Peg Tyre
Peg Tyre is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Trouble with Boys and was awarded the prestigious Spencer Research Fellowship at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Her writing about education has appeared in Newsweek, the New York Times, and Family Circle, among other publications. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
About Kirsten Potter
Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.