Education: Back to the Future

Description

Jonathan Kozol calls Len Solo, "One of the greatest educators of our time."

"I've known and admired Len Solo's work as an educator for many years."

—Roland Barth, founder of the Principals' Center, Harvard University.

In the 1960s and 70s, Len Solo was part of the “new schools movement,” in which educators collaborated to create some of the best public schools ever seen in America—schools that were personal, vibrant, and alive. Now, as education in the United States is weighed down by rigidity and standardization, Solo takes us back to that time of excitement, change, and creativity to provide a path forward for schools today. 

Education: Back to the Future is a collection of one man's stories as he explores the possibilities schools can hold. An inspiration to educators, parents, and administrators alike, Len Solo's experience illustrates the exceptional things that can happen when convention is left behind and students are the center of their own education.

Praise for Education: Back to the Future

Len Solo came of age in the whirlwind of social movements fifty years ago challenging traditional society. From his front row seat Len Solo steers a wise course through those vast experiences, highlighting what might be most relevant and helpful today. Solo has crafted here an important book that draws on a lifetime of teaching and parenting to chart a smart and hopeful path forward for us today. Anyone who is troubled by the sorry state of our schools and the anemic discussion surrounding them that masquerades as productive debate will find this book essential reading and an important resource in the struggles to come.
—Bill Ayers, Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago (retired)

Legendary educator Len Solo offers reflection and insight into his 40-year career as an alternative teacher and school leader. Only a handful of our contemporaries have had such long and productive careers in building alternatives to the school system. Len is one of them, and there is much to ponder with him as he reflects on how children learn and how best to teach for them and with them, rather than at them. [Len’s stories] capture the passion for knowledge and justice which Len Solo brings to this book and has brought to the many classrooms he graced in his long career.

—Ira Shor, Professor, City University of New York

This book forces us to think about deep questions around learning. As I was reading, I found myself always learning, growing, and engaged.

—Carlo Ricci, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate Studies, Schulich School of Education, Nipissing University

Len Solo, a very wise experienced educator. The reader comes away with a clean version of what would be superb schools for children and youth. A must-read book for educators and the public—readable and chock full of nuggets. 

—Wayne Jennings, Ph.D., Founder, Designs for Learning

I found myself in conversation with Len throughout the book. I think the best parts of Len's book are his memories of learning from his own children, his perspective on the cycles of change, and the many tips that someone starting a new school would find particularly helpful. Reading Len's book has led me to ask some important questions of myself about my development as an educator.

—Arnold Langberg, Education Consultant & School Founder

Len Solo's book gently identifies primary thoughts to consider in shaping education as being more than one way and a continuing effort. He uses storytelling and identifies specific schools, programs, and documents that serve to help us in shaping what we might call education in the future and brings forward the construct of understanding how children learn—something we should be continuously considering to achieve profound results. 

—Dr. Ray Morley, Director EdOptions

 

Len Solo is an educational consultant who supports principals and teacher leaders. His prior work includes teaching kindergarten through the university level, establishing and chairing a teacher preparation program, and serving as principal of the K-8 Graham & Parks Alternative Public School for 27 years. Len Solo has written six books, most recently Making an Extraordinary School: The Work of Ordinary People.