[.ca] High Schools on a Human Scale: How Small Schools Can ... (ISBN 080703245X)

Smaller is Better:
Thomas Toch has proven that precious things come in small packages. I agree with the author that big high schools have lost the personal touch that is needed to build relationships with students. Mr. Toch has done his homework by providing working examples and models that can be applied to any school. I recommend this book to any educator looking for a simple and concise answer to the complicated and vastly over sized American public high school systems.

Smaller Schools Yes! But how and when?:
I read this book and found it to be quite interesting. The cases that were presented were positive examples of successful implementation of how to make high school a more personal and meaningful experience for the students. I strongly support the idea of making high schools as a whole smaller in size. The difficulty arises in how we make this concept universal to all of the students in high schools across America. I liked that the school's that were presented represneted a broad spectrum of America, this helps to support universality. I also belive that smaller schools will bolster students self esteem, we need to find a way to have it implemented broadly and fairly. With pockets as deep as The Gates, it is no wonder there was success, and I have to wonder about biases in evaluations. A good book over all but, I think it only serves to add support to those that already believe in "Downsizing" vice converting the skeptics. A good read and definately fuel for a good start to changing the way we now do things.

Smaller Schools Yes! But how and when?:
I read this book and found it to be quite interesting. The cases that were presented were positive examples of successful implementation of how to make high school a more personal and meaningful experience for the students. I strongly support the idea of making high schools as a whole smaller in size. The difficulty arises in how we make this concept universal to all of the students in high schools across America. I liked that the school's that were presented represneted a broad spectrum of America, this helps to support universality. I also belive that smaller schools will bolster students self esteem, we need to find a way to have it implemented broadly and fairly. With pockets as deep as The Gates, it is no wonder there was success, and I have to wonder about biases in evaluations. A good book over all but, I think it only serves to add support to those that already believe in "Downsizing" vice converting the skeptics. A good read and definately fuel for a good start to changing the way we now do things.

Light Reading on a Very Heavy Subject:
I started out with high hopes for Toch's tale of five "small school" high schools attempting to break out of the mold of the traditional, comprehensive factory model high school. Toch's goal is to show how these schools have been organized, the challenges they faced, and still face, and the issue of whether the small schools are working for students, supposedly all students. Toch's accounts, however,are filled with unnecessary comments regarding the dress of students in the schools, and judgements on Urban students that make the reader wonder what his actual goal for the book was. More importantly, Toch's studies are seriously lacking in an analysis of the academic impact the schools are having on student achievement. This book is an easy read, with short choppy sentences, but if you are looking for a book that will help you better understand what small schools have to offer, this is not for you.

Excellent description of the small schools movement:
This book is an excellent read for those who desire to learn of 'case studies' of secondary schools that are changing in a positive way the school systems of our country. Discussing multiple urban and a rural school, the author goes inside the school and interviews both students and teachers. Also discussed is the mindset change that must take place to make them successful. An excellent resource for those desiring to learn more about the 'small schools' movement.