In a new book, 11 actors in Chicago’s ongoing school reform saga join researchers and editors of the Harvard Education Letter for a new look at the key issues and forces that have shaped the past 15 years of work to improve the nation’s third largest school district.

“School Reform in Chicago: Lessons in Policy and Practice” was edited by Catalyst contributing Editor Alexander Russo and published by the Harvard Education Press.

“This book takes a critical and varied look at what really happened in Chicago schools in the years since Mayor Daley took over, and asks whether current school reform efforts are going through a golden era—or a lull,” says Russo.

Chapters on the community’s role in school reform were contributed by Russo; Ken Rolling, former executive director of Chicago Annenberg Challenge; Andrew Wade, executive director of Chicago School Leadership Cooperative; David Gordon, editor of Harvard Education Letter; Madeline Talbott, head organizer with Illinois ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now); and Richard Gelb, curriculum coordinator at Benito Juarez High School.

The swirling political waters of education policy are addressed by Philip Hansen, accountability chief under former schools CEO Paul Vallas; Michael Sadowski, assistant editor of Harvard Education Letter; G. Alfred Hess, Jr., research professor of education and social policy at Northwestern University; Richard Elmore, professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; Timothy Brandhorst, former director of labor relations of CPS; Linda Lenz, publisher of Catalyst; John Ayers, executive director of Leadership for Quality Education; Jacqueline Leavy, director of the Neighborhood Capital Budget Group; and Cozette Buckney, former chief education officer of CPS.

The book costs $22.95 for the paperback edition.

ORDER ONLINE: “School Reform in Chicago: Lessons in Policy and Practice”

Orders also may be placed with the publisher, (617) 495-3432.

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