Rebuilding Schools for Students

America’s educational system is in crisis. Test scores show us that students across America are performing at levels far below their peers overseas. In addition, graduation rates are shamefully low. There is no doubt that America’s students deserve better. In a rapidly changing world, our students are not being taught the basic knowledge and skills they need to succeed. It’s time for educators, representing the conscience of society, along with parents and community members to get to the root of the problem. By addressing the current issues that contemporary school systems face -- including teacher unions, school reforms, the U.S. Department of Education, technology, NCLB, teachers under scrutiny, teacher tenure, boosting parent engagement, failing schools, and the realities of what works and what doesn’t in the charter school realm -- Rebuilding Schools for Students: Let the Change Begin serves to promote change by taking risks and achieving results. Educators should address schools in crisis, develop strategies to go from failure to success, and find common ground. Our students deserve the best.

Dr. Leiding addresses issues faced by schools in America today. She asks difficult questions and offers challenging answers to what students, parents, teachers, and stakeholders need here and now. It is refreshing to find an author that so clearly perceives the nature of the disease in the current educational systems, not just the symptoms of their dysfunction. This book is recommended reading for open-minded educators who want to help make the changes needed that will provide our children with greater opportunities for personal success in an ever-changing, competitive twenty-first century., Darlene Leiding has once again proven why she is one of the country’s leading advocates for the rights of all children to receive a quality education. In her latest book, Leiding relates how important it is to defend the principles of a sound education against the wave of misguided educational issues. She is committed in the fight to improve our schools and strives to help all children learn through her clarity and sometimes-radical independence of thought. Throughout her career, Darlene Leiding has been one step ahead of her peers in working with culturally diverse and academically disadvantaged students. American educators would be wise to take heed of Darlene Leiding’s thoughts on educating America’s youth. She has an important message about yesterday’s education system that is failing to educate today’s students., With each generation, we seek anew to adapt to the changing face of American education. Darlene Leiding burrows into the core of a problem and shows us the kernels of success. Her observations are crisp, insightful and highly relevant. They ring with the truth that comes from living her craft., If education is the door through which our children must pass to claim their rightful heritage as Americans, then this book is a much-needed resource that will enable parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to become involved. It takes all of us to offer encouragement and support when it comes to American education., Dr. Leiding has a passion for educating our youth and understands the dilemma today's youth have in acquiring a good quality education. She has worked with youth at risk and found ways to reach them, to ignite their passion to learn so they can graduate from school and continue to learn by furthering their education. She is one of those rare educators in this day and age where it is about the student, not the pay check, not the politics but what is best for her students. She understands the politics that have interfered with the educational system and how it has failed today's students. She has the understanding that comes with trial and error and then the successes of her students graduating and becoming productive citizens in today's society.

Dr. Darlene Leiding is an expert in the realm of charter schools and alternative education and has created an elementary and high school alternative program. She is the former K-12 Principal at Oh Day Aki (Heart of the Earth Charter School) and though recently retired continues working with inner city students of color.