Sacred Trust

Peter W. Cookson, Jr. is the founder of Ideas without Borders, a Washington DC-based educational consulting firm focusing on human rights and 21st century learning. A sociologist of education he has taught and held leadership positions at several leading colleges and universities including Teachers College, Columbia University. After working as a case worker in New York City, Cookson started his teaching career as a fifth grade social studies and English teacher in rural New England. He writes extensively on the topics of equality of educational opportunity, 21st century learning, and school choice. Some of his works include School Choice: The Struggle for the Soul of American Education (Yale University Press), Expect Miracles: Charter Schools and the Politics of Hope and Despair (Westview Press) and What Would Socrates Say? in Educational Leadership. He holds a doctorate in the sociology of education from New York University and a master's degree from Yale Divinity School, where he held the Katsuso Miho Scholarship in Peacemaking.

Foreword Acknowledgements About the Author Introduction: A Measure of Our Soul Chapter One: The Power of People and the Purpose of Public Education All Children Dream Educationally Experimenting on the Poor Madison was Right: A New Policy Framework Turning Dreams into Reality The Obtainable Utopia Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Chapter Two: The Right to a Safe, Healthy, World-Class Pubic School Right Number 1: The right to a neighborhood public school or a public school of choice that is funded for excellence The Great Unequalizer Getting to the Real Issues Money---Spent Wisely---Does Matter Reclaiming Horace's Dream Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Right Number 2: The right to physical and emotional health and safety Do No Harm: The First Obligation Basic Justice Requires Basic Care Health and Social Health Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Readings Chapter Three: The Cultural and Individual Rights of Students Right Number 3: The right to have his or her heritage, background, and religious differences honored, incorporated in study, and celebrated in the culture of the school Unity Within Diversity The Open Mind and the Open Society The Empathic Civilization The Classroom Is the World Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Right Number 4: The right to develop learning styles and strategies to the greatest extent possible Doubt and Its Virtues The Mismatch Between Research and Practice Maximizing Children's Talent Through Individualization Inquiry as a Way of Life Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Chapter Four: The Right to High Quality Instruction and School Leadership Right Number 5: The right to an excellent and dedicated teacher Why Don't We Ask the Teachers? Elevating Teaching Practical Idealism Works Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Right Number 6: The right to a school leader with vision and educational expertise Leadership for 21st-Century Schools National Educational Leadership A School Without Vision Is Lost Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Chapter Five: The Right to World-Class 21st-Century Curriculum and Technology Right Number 7: The right to a curriculum based on relevance, depth, and flexibility Boredom--The Lucky Two Percent Virtual Socrates Eradicating Boredom Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Right Number 8: The right of access to the most powerful educational technologies Learning in the Electronic Era Why a Right to 21st-Century Communication Technologies? Technology, Technopoly, and Cyber Sanity What Would Socrates Say? Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Chapter Six: The Right to Equality of Educational Opportunity Right Number 9: The right to fair, relevant, and learner-based evaluations In the Belly of the Beast Why a Right to Fair Evaluation? The Einstein Factor, the Picasso Possibility, and the Sanctity of Natural Genius Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Right Number 10: The right to complete high school The Tragic Consequences of Educational Neglect Why a Right to Graduate? What Would the Founders Say? Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Chapter Seven: The Right to Good Government 21st-Century Government and a "Sense of the People" A New Department of Education---A National "Seminary of Learning" Organizing for Learning The Dream Recaptured Book Study Questions Possible Action Steps Suggested Further Reading Resource 1: The Historic Issue of Equity and Excellence Resource 2: The Virginia Declaration of Rights Resource 3: Education and the Peace Dividend Resource 4: Principles of Multicultural Education References Index

"Some of the ideas in this motivating book really push the envelope. I love the idea of establishing an educational trust fund for every American child! Wow, can you imagine how amazing this would be if it really came to fruition?" -- Brigitte Tennis, Teacher "This book will be very helpful for future K-12 administrators as they attempt to understand the underlying dynamics of future trends and educational demands. It provides educators with a solid philosophy and personal plan of action for addressing these issues in their own community." -- Bernardo J. Carducci, Director, Shyness Research Institute "This book approaches the problems of education in a positive way by relating how to solve those problems through the consideration of the rights of children. The author's list of rights is refreshing and different from other lists that have been published. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all educators and anyone who has a stake in education." -- Karen L. Canfield, Principal "Sacred Trust: A Children's Education Bill of Rights is a clarion call to action for all Americans who care deeply about children and public education. Peter Cookson cuts through the endless policy debates and presents a positive plan for building 21st century public schools for all children." -- Richard W. Riley, Former U. S. Secretary of Education "In Sacred Trust: A Children's Education Bill of Rights, Peter Cookson provides a road map for developing every child's greatest abilities and private hopes and dreams. With his proposed ten rights, plus the added right to good government, he provides a compact that if fulfilled will save our species from self-inflicted extinction. All educators, policy makers, and parents should treasure this book for its robust guidance on how we can benefit everyone by achieving this essential Bill of Rights." -- Gardner P. Dunnan, Academic Dean "Peter Cookson's vision for a truly inclusive and quality public school system could not come at a better time. As many of our children are struggling, we need a national vision and a genuine sense of hope. Sacred Trust is a caring, yet uncompromising wake-up call to honor and support public education." -- Ramon C. Cortines, Former Superintendent "Peter Cookson elegantly parses language in a manner which speaks convincingly to the heart of an idealist and the mind of a pragmatist. His passionate and urgent plea for a 'Children's Education Bill of Rights' provides a reform blueprint with, through and for schoolchildren and youth in our country. This book is must reading for all interested in empowering more citizens to gain the promise of America." -- Eric J. Cooper, President and Founder "This book is both succinct and comprehensive, well-documented and objective, but full of a pregnant sense of outrage, powerful and commanding. The message is that it is time to stop talking and start solving our education problem." -- James P. Comer, Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry "Brimming with ideas, inspiration, and important questions, Sacred Trust could be the cornerstone for ongoing debate and action aimed at creating the schools we need for children in this century. Peter Cookson is an eloquent writer whose educational insight and wisdom warrants close attention." -- Caroline Hodges Persell, Professor of Sociology "Sacred Trust bristles with passion and imagination. Peter Cookson makes a forceful argument that the human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness articulated in the Declaration of Independence demand an education which cultivates the whole person." -- Aaron M. Pallas, Professor of Sociology and Education "Peter Cookson understands, as did our founding fathers, that a first-class education is necessary for national cohesion. In many ways, it is our nation's best defense. With his Children's Education Bill of Rights, he lays out the principles that should guide the stewardship of all our children." -- David C. Berliner, Regents' Professor Emeritus "Outlines the types of education all American kids should have a right to enjoy and covers problems and solutions to achieving this uniform goals. Makes a fine action plan for all schools to consider." -- James A. Cox, Editor in Chief