The Hardest Questions Aren't on the Test: Lessons from an Innovative Urban School

by Linda F. Nathan

The Boston Arts Academy comprises an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse student body, yet 94 percent of its graduates are accepted to college. Compare this with the average urban district rate of 50 percent. How do they do it? This remarkable success, writes Principal Linda Nathan, is in large part due to asking the right questions-questions all schools can consider, such

* How and why does a school develop a shared vision of what it stands for? 
* What makes a great teacher, and how can a principal help good teachers improve?
* Why must schools talk openly about race and achievement, and what happens when they do?

With engaging honesty, Nathan gives readers a ring-side seat as faculty, parents, and the students themselves grapple with these questions, attempt to implement solutions, and evaluate the outcomes. Stories that are inspirational as well as heartbreaking reveal the missteps and failures-as well as the successes. 

Nathan doesn't claim to have all the answers, but seeks to share her insights on schools that matter, teachers who inspire, and students who achieve.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Leadership

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amy Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first question I came up with after reading this book was: How can I work with the Headmaster for Boston Arts Academy, Linda F. Nathan? Linda wrote this book to inspire teachers and administrators to ask questions that will reveal hidden ideologies at work in school and society at large. She includes many stories from students, including one about Rajon who had been kicked out of two high schools and came to BAA a fighting mess. Now at BAA he is a leading vocalist for a men's chorus, but HE WILL NOT GRADUATE DUE TO MCAS. His learning disabilities are serious, though he did try to pass the MCAS five times. Instead he will get a certificate of attendance. Rajon still feels successful though. In a letter he wrote to the State House he says,

Coming from a rough neighborhood, school is a place to learn:
to be respected
to be a better person
to deal with different kinds of people
to feel good about myself

At BAA, Rajon feels he is learning these things. Linda demonstrates how she leads teachers and students to share values and own them. There are numerous stories like "The White Power Incident" and
The Queer 101 Incident" which show how the path to these discussions is ALWAYS difficult.

The story that really hit me was one about a student named, Shanita. I don't want to spoil it for you so I don't want to go to into it. If you do read it though, let me know. We'll talk about the question, "Have you sent in the deposit?" and why it could make you scream and cry.

I am now seriously going to write an email to Linda.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book, including a notion that I had long believed deep down but had never been able to articulate: to close the achievement gap we have to talk about race. Remaining merely color blind will not cause more students of color to graduate from high school and college.

I recommend this book to any aspiring and inspired educators.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Book about the Boston Arts Academy by the principal. In the genre of Deborah Meier's The Power of Their Ideas: Lessons from America from a Small School in Harlem, discussing the history of the school to illustrate what it takes to make a powerful school.

[Beverley Munday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good insights into leading a school team thinking through issues that arise when setting up new iniatives. Aimed at a urban, at based school.

[Porscha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Nathan uses her background challenging the established school system to write frankly about educational inequities and her attempts to offer the best education possible to as many different types of students she can. It's a wonderful examination of not just what's "wrong" with American education, but also what's right. Her ready admission of many of her previous failures makes it easier to believe this book than say, "Waiting for Superman." There are no superficial answers here. Nathan doesn't presume to come to any real conclusions. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of teamwork and tries to examine how both big overhauls and little changes can help a school, and ultimately, a student.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally clear and accessible articulation of what makes small schools - urban, suburban, or rural - really work, including creating a culture of learning, digging into the real assessment questions, supporting teachers of all experience levels in their professional growth and development,and, most importantly of all, having the hard conversations about what ALL our students need in order to succeed. A must read for anyone committed to educational equity, effective learning, and reducing achievement disparities.

[Janice]

2/19/2010

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive...nothing new

[Julie Stremel]

Great insights into a successful urban school

[David Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a educator's book club. There were some strong connections to what we do at our school. More details here: http://www.chanatown.net/2010/07/teac...

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this text with LIS 692 student teachers. I like Nathan's approach to questions about nurturing a school culture that is truly meaningful to teachers and students alike.