Schools That Work: Where All Children Read and Write

by Richard L. Allington, Patricia Marr Cunningham

This book describes the critical features of school organization plans (e.g., professional roles, organization of time, curriculum, student assessment, professional development, parental involvement) that can support or impede developing more effective educational settings. This book offers a clear view of how schools must change if they are to meet the increased demands of education for the 21st century. Drawing on their experience as teachers, administrators, researchers, reformers, evaluators, and school consultants, Allington and Cunningham examine the policies, practices, and organizational plans that enhance or impede learning both in the schools of today and in the schools of tomorrow. This book picks up where the coauthor's other book, Classrooms That They Can All Read and Write leaves off, with a focus on how to craft school organization plans that foster expert classroom teaching. Richard L. Allington is the Fien Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Florida, Gainesville. He was a co-recipient of the Albert J. Harris Award from the International Reading Association for his "contributions to the better understanding of reading and learning disabilities". Dick is also a past president of the National Reading Conference and has been elected to membership in the Reading Hall of Fame. He is the author of over 100 research articles and several books, including Classrooms That They Can all Read and Write, Schools that All Children Readers and Writers, and What Really Matters for Struggling Readers.

Patricia M. Cunningham is a professor of Education at Wake Forest University. She has authored and co-authored several books promoting literacy, including Phonics They Words For Reading And Writing, Reading And Writing In Elementary Strategies And Observations, Teachers In The K-5 Chapters From Reading And Writing In Elementary Schools, and Classrooms That They Can All Read And Write.

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Education, Professional Development

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Heather Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allington always writes with great wisdom. My favorite quote from the book: Success precedes motivation.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just used the third edition for my class Managing the School Reading Program. Very accessible for undergraduates in our reading minor.

Lots of good ideas but the big take away (not surprising with Allington and Cunningham as authors) that it is all about good teaching.

A lot of good insights about time models versus teaching models.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own the 2nd and 3rd edition of this essential resource. It is one of the initial texts that got me thinking about portfolio assessment as an alternative to all of the standardization happening in schools today. That is only one small snippet in this comprehensive book about leading and learning in education.

[Melissa Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Common sense. Not always so common.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thought provoking book with lots of ideas to move literacy instruction forward in all schools.

[Karen James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read to determine the potential of all schools.