School Hazard Zone

School Hazard Zone: Beyond the Silence/Finding a Voice explores the dynamics that help to perpetuate minority academic underachievement. Through five years of journal entries, epiphanies, and inspirations, Pamela Althea Joyce presents an honest glimpse of undemocratic practices at an urban/suburban high school. She identifies variables associated with minority achievement, examines experiences of the individuals involved, ultimately reframes the «achievement gap» problem, and invites the reader to take a stand on the matter. From the perspective of a teacher preoccupied with the daily challenges of minority students, Joyce identifies positive and negative influences originating from self, school, and society, which play a role in tilting the academic playing field to the disadvantage of underachieving students. She provides alternatives, offering «do now», low-cost suggestions and feasible long-term ideas for closing the «achievement gap». The book will be enlightening for the general public, administrators, teachers, student teachers, parents, and all individuals concerned about the future of the American educational system.

«‘School Hazard Zone’ provides a critical analysis of the factors that contribute to the racial achievement gap in school and practical advice for teachers on what they can do to address it. Drawing from her experience and research in schools, Pamela Althea Joyce provides a perspective that educators need to hear – the gap can be closed if we are courageous enough to take action in the interest of all our children.» (Pedro Noguera, Professor of Sociology, New York University) «Many educators live their lives in schools and think the deep irregularities that they see are just part of the norm – nothing to be too worried about. Pamela Althea Joyce looks at a school that some would see as above the norm and notices our failure – as a society – to act to save our future. She gives us insights, ideas for action, and a sense of our collective responsibility. Everyone will find something in this that will enlighten them – educators who are aware and care deeply; educators who care deeply but aren’t aware of the systematic destruction of our future that happens every day in far too many schools; and the general public, who have enormous power to influence policy if they exercise it. Read this book!» (Nicholas M. Michelli, Presidential Professor, Ph.D. Program in Urban Education, The Graduate School, The City University of New York)

The Author: Pamela Althea Joyce is a reading specialist and urban education consultant who has been in education for over thirty years. Joyce earned a Ph.D. in urban education at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, an M.A. in reading at Montclair State University, an M.A. in philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center, and a B.A. in elementary and early childhood education at Queens College. Joyce is the author of a number of book chapters that speak directly to concerns about minority achievement. Currently, she works as a reading specialist at Montclair High School in New Jersey, and as a culturally responsive text consultant for children’s books.