Awards

• Nominated for PROSE Awards 2002
• Nominated for Robert K. Merton Book Award 2003
• Nominated for Society for the Study of Social Problems C. Wright Mills Award 2002

Overview

""She has a funny way of looking at you,"" a fourth-grader told Rhona Weinstein about his teacher. ""She gets that look and says 'I am very disappointed in you.' I hate it when she does that. It makes me feel like I'm stupid. Just crazy, stupid, dumb."" Even young children know what adults think of them. All too often, they live down to expectations, as well as up to them. This book is about the context in which expectations play themselves out. Drawing upon a generation of research on self-fulfilling prophecies in education, including the author's own extensive fieldwork in schools, Reaching Higher argues that our expectations of children are often too low. With compelling case studies, Weinstein shows that children typed early as ""not very smart"" can go on to accomplish far more than is expected of them by an educational system with too narrow a definition of ability and the way abilities should be nurtured. Weinstein faults the system, pointing out that teachers themselves are harnessed by policies that do not enable them to reach higher for all children. Her analysis takes us beyond current reforms that focus on accountability for test results. With rich descriptions of effective classrooms and schools, Weinstein makes a case for a changed system that will make the most of every child and enable students and teachers to engage more meaningfully in learning.

Full Product Details

9780674016194

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Reviews

Undaunted by the complexities involved, Weinstein offers a systems approach that demands changes at every point of interaction: students, teachers, parents, administrators, teacher training faculty, and researchers. Implemented systematically across our nation's schools, her approach would move the next generation's educational experience into a new level of excellence, lift multiple barriers to learning, and thus change many of our existing, limiting social norms. -- Jean Caspers Library Journal 20021015 Thinking ecologically about this issue is a tall order, but Weinstein addresses in painstaking detail just what it entails. This is an important book for everyone who believes in the historic promise of equal educational opportunity, and in the possibility that all children can reach their full learning potential. Publishers Weekly 20021104 Weinstein has undertaken another extension of the discussion [of student achievement expectations] with greater success, and that is to ask what adjustments ought to occur to capitalize on the effect that communicating positive expectations can have on student progress. Those issues are addressed thoroughly and convincingly. -- D. E. Tanner Choice 20030901 I recommend the book unreservedly to anyone with an interest in education. Some readers will find their assumptions challenged. Others will find moral and intellectual support for their pursuance of an educational system that is just, humane, and not wasteful of human potential. -- Joanna Swann British Journal of Educational Studies This powerful book reaffirms the democratic ideals of public education... highly recommended for teacher preparation programs. -- Meredith E. Kiger Childhood Education

Undaunted by the complexities involved, Weinstein offers a systems approach that demands changes at every point of interaction: students, teachers, parents, administrators, teacher training faculty, and researchers. Implemented systematically across our nation's schools, her approach would move the next generation's educational experience into a new level of excellence, lift multiple barriers to learning, and thus change many of our existing, limiting social norms. -- Jean Caspers Library Journal (10/15/2002)

This powerful book reaffirms the democratic ideals of public education. . . highly recommended for teacher preparation programs.--Meredith E. Kiger Childhood Education

Author Information

Rhona S. Weinstein is Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.

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