Full Description
The charter school movement in America is a radical departure from traditional ways of facing the dilemma of matching student to school. With the advent of the charter concept- schools where individualized attention becomes possible, where lower teacher-to-student ratios are the norm, and where public moneys provide the same backing as for "regular" schools- enormous possibilities opened up for addressing the unsuccessful high school careers of many in America's cities. Indispensable Tools follows a year in the life of a new charter high school and its principal. From birth pangs to the Education Board's award of a five-year opportunity, Gateway High School in San Francisco has proven that modern pedagogy and inspired leadership can offer real betterment to those facing secondary education's disheartening pitfalls.
Contents
Chapter 1 A Personal Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 First Semester: Chapter 4 Breaking the Ice, and Setting the Scene Chapter 5 Problems in Education-An Initial Survey Chapter 6 Drawing Up the Contract Chapter 7 Depression, Identity, and Growth Chapter 8 Neural Pathways and Other Routes to the Goal Chapter 9 The Nuts-and-Bolts of Gateway: Chapter 10 A Prefatory Note Chapter 11 The Board Chair: Speak Softly, and Carry an Absolute Conviction Chapter 12 The Director of Development: Parting a Wise Community and its Money Chapter 13 Class Time Chapter 14 New Blood Chapter 15 A Note at First Semester's End Chapter 16 Second Semester: Chapter 17 Forethought Chapter 18 Hearts Coming Together Chapter 19 The Pre-Storm's Melancholy Quiet Chapter 20 In the Gladiators' Pit-The San Francisco Unified School District Beckons Chapter 21 Post Mortem: The Migraine-Swell of Reflection Chapter 22 Creative Genius versus Slogging Student Chapter 23 A National Awakening to Charter Schools Chapter 24 Monk's Cowl and Cellular Phone Chapter 25 When Honorable Men Disagree Chapter 26 The Mouths of Babes Chapter 27 Curriculum Vitae Chapter 28 Many Slips 'Twixt Fourteen and Eighteen Chapter 29 "I'm Mad as Hell, and I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore!" Chapter 30 "Out of It": Teenagers Who Can't Come in From the Cold Chapter 31 Is Bigger Better? Chapter 32 One Step Forward, Two Steps Back Chapter 33 Gateway versus Groton! Chapter 34 Groton Loves Gateway! Chapter 35 Valedictory Chapter 36 CODA-Voices In the Quiet of a Dialogue's Completion Chapter 37 Postscript Chapter 38 About the Participants Chapter 39 Index
