Gail L. Thompson

Up Where We Belong "All students deserve to have great teachers and an outstanding K-12 education. Unfortunately, this is not the experience of countless students throughout the nation, especially America's stepchildren. Instead of shaking our heads and ignoring the situation, there is much work that each adult can do to bring about reform." —Gail L. Thompson What will it take to get all students–even the most disenfranchised–engaged in school and motivated to learn and achieve? In Up Where We Belong, Gail Thompson asked the students in a low performing school to be candid about their high school experiences. Using this information and relying on data from questionnaires and focus groups, Thompson discovered a huge gap in perception between how teachers and students view their experience of school. The book explores this disparity, and uncovers some of the reasons for students' low achievement, apathy, and frustration. Most important, she offers vital lessons for transforming schools–especially for underachieving kids and students of color. Throughout the book Thompson passionately discusses the controversial aspects of race relations in school. From the negative perception of black boys to well-meaning but misguided attempts to honor diversity through ethnic history activities, Thompson shows how every little thing matters. While this may sound alarming at first, it also means that all teachers, parents, and school leaders have it within their power to improve student achievement by reflecting on their own perceptions and developing practices and policies that really motivate students to connect with learning.

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