Sacred Trust

A Children’s Education Bill of Rights

Peter W. Cookson - Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK

Administration & Leadership | Policy & Planning | School Change, Reform, & Restructuring

May 2011 | 160 pages | Corwin

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ISBN: 9781452238388

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ISBN: 9781412981163

Available from January 0001

Description

"Sacred Trust: A Children's Education Bill of Rights is a clarion call to action for all Americans who care deeply about children and public education. Peter Cookson cuts through the endless policy debates and presents a positive plan for building 21st century public schools for all children."
—Richard W. Riley, Former U. S. Secretary of Education
Senior Partner, EducationCounsel, LLC, Washington, DC

"Peter Cookson's vision for a truly inclusive and quality public school system could not come at a better time. As many of our children are struggling, we need a national vision and a genuine sense of hope. Sacred Trust is a caring, yet uncompromising wake-up call to honor and support public education."
—Ramon C. Cortines, Former Superintendent
Los Angeles Unified School District, CA

All students have the right to an excellent education

Policy expert Peter W. Cookson, Jr. boldly describes a proposed education bill of rights for American students, including ideas on how to restructure the United States Department of Education for greater equity and improved academic achievement for all learners. School leaders will find a national blueprint of action that has been endorsed by major political, economic, and educational leaders. The book asserts that all children have the right to:

Attend a school that is funded for 21^st-century excellence
Develop individual learning styles to the optimal extent
Have their heritages honored and incorporated into study

Included are examples illustrate problems and solutions from a wide range of public and private schools in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Through vivid storytelling and relevant research, Cookson provides specific and innovative steps for creating a concrete action plan that will lead to just, equitable, and world-class schools.

Foreword

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul

Chapter One: The Power of People and the Purpose of Public Education
All Children Dream
Educationally Experimenting on the Poor
Madison was Right: A New Policy Framework
Turning Dreams into Reality
The Obtainable Utopia
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Two: The Right to a Safe, Healthy, World-Class Pubic School
Right Number 1: The right to a neighborhood public school or a public school of choice that is funded for excellence
The Great Unequalizer
Getting to the Real Issues
Money---Spent Wisely---Does Matter
Reclaiming Horace's Dream
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 2: The right to physical and emotional health and safety
Do No Harm: The First Obligation
Basic Justice Requires Basic Care
Health and Social Health
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Readings
Chapter Three: The Cultural and Individual Rights of Students
Right Number 3: The right to have his or her heritage, background, and religious differences honored, incorporated in study, and celebrated in the culture of the school
Unity Within Diversity
The Open Mind and the Open Society
The Empathic Civilization
The Classroom Is the World
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 4: The right to develop learning styles and strategies to the greatest extent possible
Doubt and Its Virtues
The Mismatch Between Research and Practice
Maximizing Children's Talent Through Individualization
Inquiry as a Way of Life
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Four: The Right to High Quality Instruction and School Leadership
Right Number 5: The right to an excellent and dedicated teacher
Why Don't We Ask the Teachers?
Elevating Teaching
Practical Idealism Works
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 6: The right to a school leader with vision and educational expertise
Leadership for 21st-Century Schools
National Educational Leadership
A School Without Vision Is Lost
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Five: The Right to World-Class 21st-Century Curriculum and Technology
Right Number 7: The right to a curriculum based on relevance, depth, and flexibility
Boredom--The Lucky Two Percent
Virtual Socrates
Eradicating Boredom
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 8: The right of access to the most powerful educational technologies
Learning in the Electronic Era
Why a Right to 21st-Century Communication Technologies?
Technology, Technopoly, and Cyber Sanity
What Would Socrates Say?
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Six: The Right to Equality of Educational Opportunity
Right Number 9: The right to fair, relevant, and learner-based evaluations
In the Belly of the Beast
Why a Right to Fair Evaluation?
The Einstein Factor, the Picasso Possibility, and the Sanctity of Natural Genius
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 10: The right to complete high school
The Tragic Consequences of Educational Neglect
Why a Right to Graduate?
What Would the Founders Say?
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Seven: The Right to Good Government
21st-Century Government and a "Sense of the People"
A New Department of Education---A National "Seminary of Learning"
Organizing for Learning
The Dream Recaptured
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading

Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence

Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend

Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education

References

Index

Additional materials

Description

All students have the right to an excellent education

Attend a school that is funded for 21^st-century excellence
Develop individual learning styles to the optimal extent
Have their heritages honored and incorporated into study

Foreword

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul

Chapter One: The Power of People and the Purpose of Public Education
All Children Dream
Educationally Experimenting on the Poor
Madison was Right: A New Policy Framework
Turning Dreams into Reality
The Obtainable Utopia
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Two: The Right to a Safe, Healthy, World-Class Pubic School
Right Number 1: The right to a neighborhood public school or a public school of choice that is funded for excellence
The Great Unequalizer
Getting to the Real Issues
Money---Spent Wisely---Does Matter
Reclaiming Horace's Dream
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 2: The right to physical and emotional health and safety
Do No Harm: The First Obligation
Basic Justice Requires Basic Care
Health and Social Health
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Readings
Chapter Three: The Cultural and Individual Rights of Students
Right Number 3: The right to have his or her heritage, background, and religious differences honored, incorporated in study, and celebrated in the culture of the school
Unity Within Diversity
The Open Mind and the Open Society
The Empathic Civilization
The Classroom Is the World
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 4: The right to develop learning styles and strategies to the greatest extent possible
Doubt and Its Virtues
The Mismatch Between Research and Practice
Maximizing Children's Talent Through Individualization
Inquiry as a Way of Life
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Four: The Right to High Quality Instruction and School Leadership
Right Number 5: The right to an excellent and dedicated teacher
Why Don't We Ask the Teachers?
Elevating Teaching
Practical Idealism Works
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 6: The right to a school leader with vision and educational expertise
Leadership for 21st-Century Schools
National Educational Leadership
A School Without Vision Is Lost
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Five: The Right to World-Class 21st-Century Curriculum and Technology
Right Number 7: The right to a curriculum based on relevance, depth, and flexibility
Boredom--The Lucky Two Percent
Virtual Socrates
Eradicating Boredom
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 8: The right of access to the most powerful educational technologies
Learning in the Electronic Era
Why a Right to 21st-Century Communication Technologies?
Technology, Technopoly, and Cyber Sanity
What Would Socrates Say?
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Six: The Right to Equality of Educational Opportunity
Right Number 9: The right to fair, relevant, and learner-based evaluations
In the Belly of the Beast
Why a Right to Fair Evaluation?
The Einstein Factor, the Picasso Possibility, and the Sanctity of Natural Genius
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 10: The right to complete high school
The Tragic Consequences of Educational Neglect
Why a Right to Graduate?
What Would the Founders Say?
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Seven: The Right to Good Government
21st-Century Government and a "Sense of the People"
A New Department of Education---A National "Seminary of Learning"
Organizing for Learning
The Dream Recaptured
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading

Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence

Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend

Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education

References

Index

Additional materials

Reviews

"Some of the ideas in this motivating book really push the envelope. I love the idea of establishing an educational trust fund for every American child! Wow, can you imag... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Brigitte Tennis, Teacher, Stella Schola Middle School, Redmond, WA
"This book will be very helpful for future K–12 administrators as they attempt to understand the underlying dynamics of future trends and educational demands. It provides... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Bernardo J. Carducci, Director, Shyness Research Institute, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, IN
"This book approaches the problems of education in a positive way by relating how to solve those problems through the consideration of the rights of children. The author’... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Karen L. Canfield, Principal, Pioneer Intermediate School, Noble, OK
"Sacred Trust: A Children’s Education Bill of Rights is a clarion call to action for all Americans who care deeply about children and public education. Peter Cookson cuts... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Richard W. Riley, Former U. S. Secretary of Education, Senior Partner, EducationCounsel, LLC, Washington, DC
"In Sacred Trust: A Children’s Education Bill of Rights, Peter Cookson provides a road map for developing every child’s greatest abilities and private hopes and dreams. W... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Gardner P. Dunnan, Academic Dean, Avenues: The World School, New York, NY
"Peter Cookson's vision for a truly inclusive and quality public school system could not come at a better time. As many of our children are struggling, we need a national... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Ramon C. Cortines, Former Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA
"Peter Cookson elegantly parses language in a manner which speaks convincingly to the heart of an idealist and the mind of a pragmatist. His passionate and urgent plea fo... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Eric J. Cooper, President and Founder, National Urban Alliance for Effective Education, Syosset, NY
"This book is both succinct and comprehensive, well-documented and objective, but full of a pregnant sense of outrage, powerful and commanding. The message is that it is ... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
James P. Comer, Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry, Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT
"Brimming with ideas, inspiration, and important questions, Sacred Trust could be the cornerstone for ongoing debate and action aimed at creating the schools we need for ... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Caroline Hodges Persell, Professor of Sociology, New York University
“Sacred Trust bristles with passion and imagination. Peter Cookson makes a forceful argument that the human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness articulat... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
Aaron M. Pallas, Professor of Sociology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY
"Peter Cookson understands, as did our founding fathers, that a first-class education is necessary for national cohesion. In many ways, it is our nation’s best defense. W... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
David C. Berliner, Regents' Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
"Outlines the types of education all American kids should have a right to enjoy and covers problems and solutions to achieving this uniform goals. Makes a fine action pla... Press enter to read the full quote (will open a modal popup)
James A. Cox, Editor in Chief, The Midwest Book Review, August 2011

Sacred Trust

A Children’s Education Bill of Rights

Peter W. Cookson

Cancel Print

May 2011 | 160 pages | Corwin

Format	Published Date	ISBN	Price
Paperback	28/04/2023	9781412981163	$39.95
Lifetime	28/04/2023	9781452238388	$36.00

All students have the right to an excellent education

Attend a school that is funded for 21^st-century excellence
Develop individual learning styles to the optimal extent
Have their heritages honored and incorporated into study

Foreword
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul
Chapter One: The Power of People and the Purpose of Public Education
All Children Dream
Educationally Experimenting on the Poor
Madison was Right: A New Policy Framework
Turning Dreams into Reality
The Obtainable Utopia
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Two: The Right to a Safe, Healthy, World-Class Pubic School
Right Number 1: The right to a neighborhood public school or a public school of choice that is funded for excellence
The Great Unequalizer
Getting to the Real Issues
Money---Spent Wisely---Does Matter
Reclaiming Horace's Dream
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 2: The right to physical and emotional health and safety
Do No Harm: The First Obligation
Basic Justice Requires Basic Care
Health and Social Health
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Readings
Chapter Three: The Cultural and Individual Rights of Students
Right Number 3: The right to have his or her heritage, background, and religious differences honored, incorporated in study, and celebrated in the culture of the school
Unity Within Diversity
The Open Mind and the Open Society
The Empathic Civilization
The Classroom Is the World
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 4: The right to develop learning styles and strategies to the greatest extent possible
Doubt and Its Virtues
The Mismatch Between Research and Practice
Maximizing Children's Talent Through Individualization
Inquiry as a Way of Life
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Four: The Right to High Quality Instruction and School Leadership
Right Number 5: The right to an excellent and dedicated teacher
Why Don't We Ask the Teachers?
Elevating Teaching
Practical Idealism Works
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 6: The right to a school leader with vision and educational expertise
Leadership for 21st-Century Schools
National Educational Leadership
A School Without Vision Is Lost
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Five: The Right to World-Class 21st-Century Curriculum and Technology
Right Number 7: The right to a curriculum based on relevance, depth, and flexibility
Boredom--The Lucky Two Percent
Virtual Socrates
Eradicating Boredom
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 8: The right of access to the most powerful educational technologies
Learning in the Electronic Era
Why a Right to 21st-Century Communication Technologies?
Technology, Technopoly, and Cyber Sanity
What Would Socrates Say?
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Six: The Right to Equality of Educational Opportunity
Right Number 9: The right to fair, relevant, and learner-based evaluations
In the Belly of the Beast
Why a Right to Fair Evaluation?
The Einstein Factor, the Picasso Possibility, and the Sanctity of Natural Genius
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Right Number 10: The right to complete high school
The Tragic Consequences of Educational Neglect
Why a Right to Graduate?
What Would the Founders Say?
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Chapter Seven: The Right to Good Government
21st-Century Government and a "Sense of the People"
A New Department of Education---A National "Seminary of Learning"
Organizing for Learning
The Dream Recaptured
Book Study Questions
Possible Action Steps
Suggested Further Reading
Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence
Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights
Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend
Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education
References
Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"Outlines the types of education all American kids should have a right to enjoy and covers problems and solutions to achieving this uniform goals. Makes a fine action plan for all schools to consider."

James A. Cox, Editor in Chief, The Midwest Book Review, August 2011

"Peter Cookson understands, as did our founding fathers, that a first-class education is necessary for national cohesion. In many ways, it is our nation’s best defense. With his Children's Education Bill of Rights, he lays out the principles that should guide the stewardship of all our children."

David C. Berliner, Regents' Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

“Sacred Trust bristles with passion and imagination. Peter Cookson makes a forceful argument that the human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness articulated in the Declaration of Independence demand an education which cultivates the whole person."

Aaron M. Pallas, Professor of Sociology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY

"Brimming with ideas, inspiration, and important questions, Sacred Trust could be the cornerstone for ongoing debate and action aimed at creating the schools we need for children in this century. Peter Cookson is an eloquent writer whose educational insight and wisdom warrants close attention."

Caroline Hodges Persell, Professor of Sociology, New York University

"This book is both succinct and comprehensive, well-documented and objective, but full of a pregnant sense of outrage, powerful and commanding. The message is that it is time to stop talking and start solving our education problem."

James P. Comer, Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry, Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT

Sacred Trust

Description

Contents

Additional materials

Description

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul

Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul

Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence

Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence

Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend

Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend

Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education

Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

Description

Contents

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul

Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul

Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence

Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence

Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend

Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend

Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education

Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Additional materials

Reviews

Sacred Trust

A Children’s Education Bill of Rights

Table Of Contents:

Recent Product Reviews:

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