"This is a wonderful set of accounts of teachers who make use of student work as a base for their ongoing learning. . . . It should be extremely useful to teachers at all levels."

–Vito Perrone, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University

"For those committed to educating for thoughtful citizens, this book is a must. Wonderful people are tackling important questions in clear and useful ways."

–Deborah Meier, Principal, Mission Hill School, Boston

"I know there is no one solution to the problems of school reform, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a copy of this book onto every teacher’s desk."

–Joseph McDonald, New York University

Featuring contributions from some of today’s leading educators, this resource provides a range of practical, replicable processes for collaboratively examining student work, including writing samples, visual work, portfolios, and exhibitions. This uniquely practical text presents vivid descriptions of teachers engaged in collaborative processes in actual school settings, from early elementary through high school. Reporting on the work of several of the most important school change networks and institutes--and incorporating the perspectives of education researchers, teacher educators, administrators, and teachers–this volume builds a powerful argument for refocusing professional development on the collaborative and reflective examination of authentic student work, rather than relying on representations of student learning such as test scores and grades.

David Allen is an education researcher. He has worked for the Annenberg Institute for School Reform and the Coalition of Essential Schools, both at Brown University.