Mette co-authors new book on democratizing education
A new book co-authored by Ian Mette, associate professor of educational leadership in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, provides a set of practical guidelines for educational leaders striving to renew their schools.
“The Essential Renewal of America’s Schools: A Leadership Guide for Democratizing Schools from the Inside Out” will be published by Teachers College Press in April. It provides a three-part framework for schools, districts and community leaders focused on creating locally guided initiatives to accomplish local goals.
Co-authored by Carl Glickman, professor emeritus at the University of Georgia, the book is filled with real-world examples, charts and illustrations that give teachers, principals, students, parents, central office personnel, school boards and community members exactly what is needed to enhance their schools. Ultimately, the book provides a roadmap for using classroom applications to replace dependence on top-down state and federal mandates while explaining how schools can gain greater autonomy from strict external regulations.
“A commitment by local educational and community leaders to democratizing schools is an essential step toward creating a healthier and more equitable society,” says Mette.
“Carl and I put a lot of thought into this framework, and we are excited to hear from educators who we hope will find it useful in bringing democratic reforms to their schools,” he adds.
This is Mette’s first book. His research and teaching interests include instructional supervision, school reform and the merging of the two to drive meaningful improvement of educational systems. Specifically, his work targets how educators, researchers and policymakers can better inform one another to drive school improvement and reform policy. Mette is founding editor of the Journal of Educational Supervision.
Glickman is professor emeritus at UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education. He is the author of 16 books on school leadership, democracy and the moral imperative of public education. “The Essential Renewal of America’s Schools” builds on some of the themes explored in his acclaimed 1993 book, “Renewing America’s Schools.”
“The Essential Renewal of America’s Schools: A Leadership Guide for Democratizing Schools from the Inside Out” will be available on the Teachers College Press website on April 17.
Contact: Casey Kelly, 207.581.3751