§16§This book identifies and emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to school improvement when it comes to both the development of the whole child and the relationships among student, family, and community development. In recent years, the emphasis in PK-12 education in the United States has been on the measurement of student and school performance by high-stakes achievement tests. This emphasis has resulted in a narrowed curriculum emphasizing lower-level cognitive learning, with little attention paid to the moral, social, and creative development of students, families, and communities. This book argues that PK-12 education needs to shift its focus to holistic qualities of the successful school, qualities that reflect a moral rather than a technical approach to education while also improving students' academic performance. §04§1. A Foundation of Care.- 2. The Service-Oriented School.- 3. The Bridge of Trust.- 4. The School as Community.- 5. Equity Grounded in Equality.- 6. Justice and Peace.- 7. Deep Democracy.- 8. Symbols and Ceremonies.- 9. Freedom and Support.- 10. Whole-School and Whole-Person Development.- 11. Creative Growth and Development.- 12. School Vision and Mission. § §02§Stephen P. Gordon is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Education and Community Leadership at Texas State University, USA.
