The Answer Is in the Room
How Effective Schools Scale Up Student Success
- Alan M. Blankstein - Founder, Solution Tree and HOPE Foundation, NYC
A Joint Publication With The HOPE Foundation
"The answer is not always in the room. Sometimes it's in the room next door. But help is often much closer than you think. Drawing on inspirational yet practical examples of health reform in Vietnam, courageous change in South Africa, and authentic improvements that get results in a range of American schools, Alan Blankstein demonstrates that throwing random reforms into the room through the door, or shouting at people in the room from up on the roof, are not ways that make positive change happen. Blankstein knows his people, knows his schools and knows what brings about positive, professionally driven change. This brilliant little book not only shows what works, it dignifies the overly criticized professionals who make it all happen."
—Andy Hargreaves, Author and Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Boston College, MA
"When the well-being of children is at stake, people of all stripes are called upon to put aside personal agendas, find the humility and courage to do what is right, and let go of what has not worked. This book provides compelling reasons for doing this in education, as well as a powerful new methodology for success and a pathway to a brighter future."
—Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
1GOAL Education for All, Cape Town, South Africa
"With tools and techniques provided in Alan Blankstein's new book, educators have the potential to uncover the answers to complex issues in education."
—Deborah Childs-Bowen, Assistant Professor
Alliance for Leadership in Education, Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Learn the secrets of successful schools
Citing wisdom from top educational experts and building on what is already working, award-winning author Alan M. Blankstein offers tools for finding excellence in schools, scaling these practices across learning communities, and transforming low-performing schools into high-performing schools. His five-step process includes:
- Identifying and assessing excellence
- Creating an action plan
- Assigning resources such as time, materials, etc.
- Transferring excellence in the form of knowledge and skills throughout the school and district
- Sustaining the excellence
Also included are effective strategies for sustaining student gains, closing gaps within and between schools, building leader capacity, and increasing community commitment.
Listen to Alan's podcast interview for the Future of Education series.
"Blankstein makes it clear that communities can create schools in which all students thrive by tapping the capacities that already exist within them. The implications of that idea are truly profound!"
“Public education is filled with numerous success stories that, for some reason, aren’t being taken to scale. Alan Blankstein addresses this conundrum with practical advice that will benefit educators and students. He shows how to create a culture for success that will move the ball forward at every school and in every classroom.”
“In The Answer is in the Room, Alan Blankstein captures evidence of the school-level success which too many have until now thought simply not possible: when we as adults get it right, students can achieve at the highest of levels regardless of background.”
"In this practical new book, Alan Blankstein demonstrates that greater student achievement is within the reach of every school. It doesn't require vast sums of new money or an array of new programs. It does take a small group of educators committed to inquiry, planning, and action.They will find Blankstein's book to be a useful and inspirational guide."
“With the tools and techniques provided in Alan Blankstein’s new book, educators have the potential to uncover the answers to complex issues in education that are readily at hand."
"The answer is not always in the room. Sometimes it's in the room next door. But help is often much closer than you think. Drawing on inspirational yet practical examples of health reform in Vietnam, courageous change in South Africa, and authentic improvements that get results in a range of American schools, Alan Blankstein demonstrates that throwing random reforms into the room through the door, or shouting at people in the room from up on the roof, are not ways that make positive change happen. Blankstein knows his people, knows his schools, and knows what brings about positive, professionally driven change. This brilliant little book not only shows what works, it dignifies the overly-criticized professionals who make it all happen."
“Alan Blankstein’s latest book is another must-read for educators who are passionate about bringing about change in education. The stories in the book illustrate resonant leaders who enacted the TEAM approach to school transformation. With a TEAM attitude, each leader was able to build TRUST, encourage EMPOWERMENT, establish ACCOUNTABILITY and provide MOTIVATION to bring about he needed change.”
“The goal of every leader should be to inspire excellence without exception. Alan Blankstein’s new book illustrates this through diverse case studies and vignettes. All school leaders should have this book in their library.”
“When the well-being of children is at stake, people of all stripes are called upon to put aside personal agendas, find the humility and courage to do what is right, and let go of what has not worked. This book provides compelling reasons for doing this in education, as well as a powerful new methodology for success, and pathway to a brighter future.”
"Alan Blankenship once again addresses head-on the compelling dilemmas of our time. Yes, The Answer is in the Room and it demands that leaders bundle best practice and proceed with courage."
