Overview

"We often hear about the need to make demands on all students, especially those of color, of different cultural backgrounds, and from low income families. A lot of educators talk the talk, but only a few have actually walked the walk. One of the few American schools that actually made substantial strides in improving education for low-income students was Garfield High school in the 1980s. The success of Jaime Escalante, Garfield's calculus teacher, was depicted in the 1987 film Stand and Deliver. This film is often shown in education classes and teacher inservices. Unfortunately, Hollywood played rather freely with the facts and created a film that is a poor guide for teachers and administrators who want to recreate Escalante's experience. The reality, however, is even more wonderful than the film, and, unlike the Hollywood fantasy, is replicable. When coauthor Jerry Jesness interviewed Jaime Escalante about the secret of his success, the first four words Escalante spoke were, ""Our principal, Henry Gradillas… ."" In this book, Dr. Gradillas shares both his upbeat philosophy of education and the practical school management techniques that helped translate that philosophy into success for thousands of students over three decades. The book focuses on three areas that are key to the operation of an effective school: School climate, instruction, and curriculum. It includes many references to the Garfield experience, as well as to other schools where Gradillas was at the helm."

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9781607099420

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Reviews

Henry Gradillas laid the groundwork that enabled administrators, counselors, and teachers to work together in order to make Garfield High School a school with a future -- Jaime Escalante Henry was the most successful principal that I have ever known. He has no equal. -- Don Mroscak Standing and Delivering is on the required reading list for anyone wishing to gain greater insight into the context and setting for the Escalante miracle. No one else is as qualified to provide perspective on the backstage supports that accompaniedone of the most endearing educational success stories of modern timessss -- Omar Del Cueto A dedicated and enthusiastic professional with a great capacity for understanding and working with youth. -- Paul Possemato Every principal and school board member who is looking for practical and effective ways of addressing the challenges posed by the toughest urban schools should read this highly readable book. -- J. E. Stone, Ed.D. Stand and Deliver was a great film, but it did not have time to tell the story of the hero principal, an ex-Army Ranger with a huge heart, who made Jaime Escalante's achievements possible. Henry Gradillas took charge of Garfield High School just as the cheating charges dramatized in the movie were making headlines. He was the first to realize that the doubt and tension would soon turn to triumph and that Garfield would become one of the most important symbols of education reform the country has ever produced. Here for the first time is Gradillas's thrilling story and his practical advice for today's educators hoping to give their students the same challenges he and Escalante so successfully gave theirs. -- Jay Mathews Standing and Delivering is on the required reading list for anyone wishing to gain greater insight into the context and setting for the Escalante miracle. No one else is as qualified to provide perspective on the backstage supports that accompanied one of the most endearing educational success stories of modern times -- Omar Del Cueto Dr. Gradillas' guiding principle is academic excellence, and he has the formula to achieve it! -- Eileen Miranda Jimenez

Author Information

Henry Gradillas has served education as a teacher and administrator in California and Michigan, and as a speaker and consultant throughout North America. He and his wife Gayle live near Ashland, Wisconsin where he continues to work as a tutor, substitute teacher, and court interpreter. Jerry Jesness has taught English, ESL, Spanish, special education, and social studies in his thirty year education career. His writing has appeared in Harper's, Reason Education Week, Teacher Magazine, Principal Magazine, Intellectual Capital, Texas Education Review, and several newspapers.

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