Working on the Work: An Action Plan for Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents, 1st Edition

by Phillip C. Schlechty

Is the work you give students engaging--enabling them to learn what they need to learn in order to succeed in the world? Maverick educator Phillip Schlechty believes that the key to improving education is to improve the quality of this student work. He calls this "Working the Work" (WOW), and he's developed a framework that allows educators to put the WOW principles into practice.

Beginning with 12 essential components of a WOW school, Schlechty suggests ways to improve the quality of content, organization of knowledge, measurement of achievement, nurturance of creativity, and novelty and variety of tasks. In addition, you'll get:
* Practical guidelines for re-designing classroom activity so that more students are highly engaged in schoolwork
* Clear and compelling standards for assessing student work
You'll also make clear connections between what students are doing and what they are expected to produce as you gain insight into the roles of teachers, principals, and superintendents--and, how they individually and collectively play a part in the WOW process.

Genres: Education, Leadership, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2002

Reviews

[Seth Woodley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and helpful book. I appreciate that is covers education at different levels from the teacher, to the principal, and to the superintendent. There are helpful, valuable resources in the appendices. One minor frustration is that there were numerous charts throughout that were an unnecessary restatement of points listed in the text.

[Susan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful tips on making work engaging. Good work for someone who is leading a PLC.

[Andy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many school change leaders try to change students or teachers. These efforts are misguided.

The author makes a compelling case that the most important leadership work in a school district is empowering teachers to create interesting activities that will lead to authentic engagement rather than lower levels of interest.

This book outlines 12 standards to improve the quality of student tasks:

1) Patterns of Engagement
2) Student Achievement
3) Content and Substance
4) Organization of Knowledge
5) Product Focus
6) Clear and Compelling Product
7) A Safe Environment
8) Affirmation of Performances
9) Affiliation
10) Novelty and Variety
11) Choice
12) Authenticity

It concludes with two questionnaires to collect data surrounding these 12 standards.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about leading school buildings and districts.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is much more helpful if you have read his other books. That being said, you can get the gist of his overall WOW plan. It does stress the importance of everyone working together including the superintendent.

[Jackie Simons]

Read 10/02

[Dawn Fielder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I think he makes a lot of sense and it goes along with what I have learned in my years as an educator. It was a smooth read. Intellectual but engaging.