American Schools: The Art Of Creating A Democratic Learning Community

w w w w w w w w w w w w w EDUCATION • LEADERSHIP Chaltain w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w “Our country’s ongoing commitment to democratic principles can be actual- the Forum for Education and Democracy, ized only if democracy lives in our public schools. This book reveals how schools a national education “action tank” de- can help students and teachers see and hear one another, create a strong com- voted to restoring the purpose of public munity, and develop the sensibilities and skills for democratic life. It provides a ties to outline a framework for leadership education. A former teacher, he is also the framework for democratic leadership that is accessible, actionable, and grounded that helps educators and organizational founding director of the Five Freedoms in good pedagogy.” —LINDA DARLING-HAMMOND, Charles E. Ducommun leaders create the optimal conditions for Professor of Education, Stanford University transformational change. By pairing a rich Project, a national program that helps K–12 principals create more democratic learning environments. Sam’s writings “Sam Chaltain expects schools to do more than merely give their students about public education have appeared in knowledge of the world. By helping them to make themselves known to the both magazines and newspapers, includ- world, he believes that they will be able to meet the democratic goal of taking ing Education Week, the Huffington Post, responsibility for it. This book offers ideas and practical examples.” and USA Today. This is his third book. —TED SIZER, founder, Coalition of Essential Schools, and former dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Sam has a master’s degree in American Studies from the College of William & “A powerful concept provides the organizing theme of this refreshing book: Mary and an MBA from George Wash- Our nation’s school leaders must strike the right balance between freedom and ington University. He received his under- structure in order to create healthy, high-functioning learning environments. graduate degree from the University of But there is a pervasive, more subtle theme that slips along with the turning Wisconsin at Madison, where he gradu- of the pages: The curriculum provides knowledge and skills relevant to daily ated with a double major in Afro-Ameri- functioning, but the persona of the teacher powerfully shapes the becoming of can studies and history. He lives in Wash- each unique being.” ington, D.C., with his wife Sarah, son Leo, —JOHN GOODLAD, president, Institute for Educational Inquiry and French bulldog Rufus. “Sam Chaltain has written a provocative, daring book, one that tangles with how best to create community and tolerance within the walls of a school. Chaltain is onto something—that an understanding of freedom is essential to creatFor orders and information please contact the publisher Rowman & Littlefield Education A division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. A wholly owned subsidia