The prize may well be one of the most important books on education to come along in years. The prize, by dale russakoff mark zuckerberg, center, with cory booker, then mayor of newark, left, and new jersey gov. Dale russakoff s the prize is such a good, and important book. But stubborn facts, duly recorded in this compellingly readable book. From 1994 to 2008, she served in the posts new york bureau, which included covering the nyc metropolitan area, including newark, new jersey. Dale russakoff, one of americas great journalists, illuminates one of the countrys great problemsthe failure of inner city schoolswith ontheground reporting that extends from the governors office and fancy philanthropies down or up to the small miracles performed every day by dedicated newark classroom teachers. Last week, education post ran an interview with newark superintendent chris cerf talking about ongoing efforts to improve public education in new jerseys largest city. Russakoff opens the book on a dark and stormy night, with two politicians sliding through a rough part of town talking education policy. Dale russakoff is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. Dale russakoff delivers a riveting drama of our times, encompassing the rise of celebrity politics, big philanthropy, extreme economic inequality, the charter school movement, and the struggles and triumphs of schools in one of the nations poorest cities. Our first contest of the year invites students to take photographs that depict some aspect of teenage life that they think adults may misunderstand, ignore or simply not know about, and, in a short artists statement, tell us why. Sep 21, 2015 in 2010, mayor cory booker, new jersey gov.
When russakoff began reporting this book in 2010, fewer than 40 percent of the students in the third through eighth grades in newark, n. Veteran reporter dale russakoffs new book the prize, details the successes and failures of this effort. Dale russakoff, a former reporter for the washington post who has also written for the new yorker, spent several. Where my experience in houston involved only one school, russakoff documents a topdown effort at districtwide reform that was intended to be a model for the nation and. The prize audiobook by dale russakoff, read by pete cross. They raised money from other donors, as well, predicting. Sep 22, 2015 a new book, by dale russakoff, examines the pitfalls of mark zuckerbergs generous philanthropic gift to newark public schools. The prize, by dale russakoff in america, education was long seen as the great equalizer, but that has become mostly myth.
Dale russakoff recounts their efforts in the prize. Chris christie and facebook founder mark zuckerberg devised a plan to improve newarks failing schools. By sara mosle, jeneen interlandi, dale russakoff static. Late one night in december, 2009, a black chevy tahoe in a caravan of cops and residents moved slowly through some of the most dangerous neighborhoods of newark.
Chris christie who russakoff calls an overlord of the citys schools the state seized control of the chronically struggling and corruptionridden district in 1995. But their plans soon ran into the citys seasoned education players, fierce protectors of. Dale russakoff the washington post, the new york times, npr. Aug 23, 2015 when russakoff began reporting this book in 2010, fewer than 40 percent of the students in the third through eighth grades in newark, n. The prize quotes showing 120 of 20 almost all philanthropy is by definition undemocratic, its priorities set by wealthy donors and boards of trustees, who by extension can shape the direction of public policy in faraway communities. Sep 11, 2015 by dale russakoff houghton mifflin harcourt. Dale russakoff spent twentyeight years as a reporter for the washington post, covering politics, education, social policy, and other topics. Dale russakoff center for education policy analysis. The prize, a new book by dale russakoff, examines the.
Almost all philanthropy is by definition undemocratic, its priorities set by wealthy donors and boards of trustees, who by extension can shape the direction of public policy in faraway communities. Cory booker, chris christie, and mark zuckerberg had a plan to reform newarks schools. The epic quest for oil, money, and power, a 1991 book by daniel yergin the prize, a song on gusters album parachute. The ostensible purpose of the tour was to show christie one of bookers methods of combatting crime. A new book, by dale russakoff, examines the pitfalls of mark zuckerbergs generous philanthropic gift to newark public schools. It looks at what happens after the initial media euphoria died down, when the nuts and bolts of governance make the difference between success and failure. The book was considerably more balanced than the book tour. Oct 14, 2015 the alma and joseph gildenhorn book series features dale russakoff, new yorker contributor, discussing her new book, the prize. As cory booker navigates between his status as rock star mayor on oprahs stage and object of considerable distrust at home, the. By dale russakoff lsu digital commons louisiana state university. James mcbride, national book awardwinning author of the good lord bird and the color of water with the prize, dale russakoff has brilliantly rendered the hopes, complexities, pitfalls, and flaws of the effort to reform american education. The prize is a portrait of a titanic struggle over the future of education for the poorest kids, and a cautionary tale for those who care about the shape of america.
Whos in charge of americas schools by dale russakoff. When russakoff began reporting this book in 2010, fewer than 40 percent of. Russakoff visited the ed school on monday to talk about her book in the years first gutman library distinguished author series event. William jelani cobb, author of the substance of hope. Sep 24, 2015 dale russakoff is a former washington post reporter and the author of a new book called the prize. The only way we can fight back is to excel the new. Her advice should have been taken by cory booker, chris christie, cami anderson, mark zuckerberg, and the other newark reformers. Sep 29, 2015 listen to dale russakoff, expert journalist, deliver a story of high ideals and hubris as reformers face off against entrenched unions, skeptical parents and bewildered students.
The prize, a new book by dale russakoff, examines the pitfalls of. Dale russakoff speakers bureau and booking agent info. T he book was considerably more balanced than the book tour. Dale russakoffs the prize is such a good, and important book. Eyes on the prize, a documentary about the american civil rights movement. As dale russakoffs the prize got out there, and in dozens of presentations on the radio and in bookstores around the country, it became a very simple and reductionistic story that was distorted in a number of important respects. Dale russakoff was a journalist for 28 years at the washington post and is a contributor to the new yorker. Nov 10, 2018 the prize by dale russakoff all about the zuckerberg money that went to newark a few years ago. Along comes dale russakoffs the prize, a brilliantly reported. Aug 24, 2015 russakoff opens the book on a dark and stormy night, with two politicians sliding through a rough part of town talking education policy. Its weird in a good way reading a book that is so local to me geographically and also so recent in history. Expert journalist dale russakoff delivers a story of high ideals and hubris, good intentions and greed, celebrity and street smarts as reformers face off against entrenched unions, skeptical parents, and bewildered students.
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