Common Sense

In the spirit of Thomas Paine, this second edition uses "Common Sense" to tell what is really going on with students, teachers, and schools. (Hint: the reality is actually a lot more optimistic than commonly portrayed in the media.)

Foreword by Rod Rock
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Common Sense and What is Reality?

Part I: Existence
Chapter 1: First Year
Chapter 2: Job Conditions
Chapter 3: Failure
Chapter 4: Success
Chapter 5: I Am a Teacher
Chapter 6: Curriculum
Chapter 7: Favorites
Chapter 8: Administration
Chapter 9: Dilemmas
Chapter 10: Honor and Betrayal
Chapter 11: At Risk
Chapter 12: Joys of Teaching
Chapter 13: The Pnyx and What It Means to Be a Teacher
Chapter 14: The Stories of The Existential Realities as Parables
Chapter 15: The Mule, Luck, and Serenity

Part II: Essence
Chapter 16: 'Conflicted' especially by sixteen chronic, existential dilemmas
Chapter 17: Essence
Chapter 18: State of Our Union Address

Appendix A: Rules to Live and Teach By
Appendix B: Teaching Commandments
Appendix C: A Letter from a School Superintendent
Appendix D: A Homework Assignment: Waiting for Superman and its review by Ravitch
Appendix E: It All Starts Today