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cassiesnextchapter's review
4.0
Full Book Review
What a smart, witty, and fun book! A tongue-in-cheek look at the shortcomings of school systems - especially when they're managed from the outside.
Although I'm not a teacher, I have plenty of family and friends who have had some strong words about the school system. Too many hoops to jump through, the hurdles to actually teaching the material when they're bogged down with test-prep, the likelihood of burnout, the range of attitudes and capabilities of the teaching staff, and the abundance of frustrations with students and fellow staff. Adequate Yearly Progress addresses all these topics brilliantly, and with a healthy dose of snark.
I enjoy the wide range of characters - their approaches to teaching as well as life, what motivates them, and the bonds they form (or don't). The way Elden wraps up each storyline feels just right and balanced. Nothing too drastic, but not everything perfect in the end...just like life.
Overall, this is a fantastic satirical look at the nuances of a public school through the eyes of its teachers. It portrays the dichotomy of teaching perfectly: the moments of pride when you know you've made a difference in a student's life...that end up getting squashed by the things that completely suck the joy out of teaching.
Thank you to Atria Books for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for my honest opinion.
What a smart, witty, and fun book! A tongue-in-cheek look at the shortcomings of school systems - especially when they're managed from the outside.
Although I'm not a teacher, I have plenty of family and friends who have had some strong words about the school system. Too many hoops to jump through, the hurdles to actually teaching the material when they're bogged down with test-prep, the likelihood of burnout, the range of attitudes and capabilities of the teaching staff, and the abundance of frustrations with students and fellow staff. Adequate Yearly Progress addresses all these topics brilliantly, and with a healthy dose of snark.
I enjoy the wide range of characters - their approaches to teaching as well as life, what motivates them, and the bonds they form (or don't). The way Elden wraps up each storyline feels just right and balanced. Nothing too drastic, but not everything perfect in the end...just like life.
Overall, this is a fantastic satirical look at the nuances of a public school through the eyes of its teachers. It portrays the dichotomy of teaching perfectly: the moments of pride when you know you've made a difference in a student's life...that end up getting squashed by the things that completely suck the joy out of teaching.
Thank you to Atria Books for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for my honest opinion.
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
Adequate Yearly Progress
There were times when I taught when I was certain no one else knew what I was going through. It is strange that in a profession where you are surrounded by other humans all day long, that I could feel so lonely and isolated. Roxanna Elden gets it. Maybe because she taught for eleven years. That perspective I only get when talking to other teachers, I got here in this book as well.
The essential loneliness of the job came through to me. So many characters going through individual crises all by themselves, even when surrounded by colleagues. Lena Wright, the African American, spoken word artist, English teacher who wants so desperately for her students to see the power of language, touched me. Kaytee Mahoney, the young, overly-idealistic TeachCorps teacher, caught between the perfection of her goals and the reality of her students, embodies many young teachers I knew. Hernan D. Hernandez, the laid back science teacher, who was always tongue tied in Lena’s presence, was the teacher who pretty much ignored the testing insanity and really taught his students. Even characters that in other hands could be seen merely as antagonistic were given depth. The assistant principals were pretty much cut outs, but I have worked with so many who fit the two in this book to a T to feel disgruntled there.
Told with wit and understanding, rotating to a different teacher in each chapter, this is the story of a school in Texas that has a new superintendent, a man who has never taught but has written a best seller about how to fix education, who turns their school on its ear. Insane initiative after initiative being forced down the teachers’ throats—I thought that the continually increasing number of things they were required to write out on their boards throughout the book was a terrific metaphor for all the foolishness teachers are saddled with.
It was a story about people. Each in their own way a dedicated teacher. Each in their own way trying to survive another year in the classroom. Each in their own way reminding me of so many I have taught with.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who teaches, especially middle and high school. It was funny and sad at the same time. I think you’ll like it.
I received a free electronic ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out all my reviews at https://mrbsbookshelf.blogspot.com
There were times when I taught when I was certain no one else knew what I was going through. It is strange that in a profession where you are surrounded by other humans all day long, that I could feel so lonely and isolated. Roxanna Elden gets it. Maybe because she taught for eleven years. That perspective I only get when talking to other teachers, I got here in this book as well.
The essential loneliness of the job came through to me. So many characters going through individual crises all by themselves, even when surrounded by colleagues. Lena Wright, the African American, spoken word artist, English teacher who wants so desperately for her students to see the power of language, touched me. Kaytee Mahoney, the young, overly-idealistic TeachCorps teacher, caught between the perfection of her goals and the reality of her students, embodies many young teachers I knew. Hernan D. Hernandez, the laid back science teacher, who was always tongue tied in Lena’s presence, was the teacher who pretty much ignored the testing insanity and really taught his students. Even characters that in other hands could be seen merely as antagonistic were given depth. The assistant principals were pretty much cut outs, but I have worked with so many who fit the two in this book to a T to feel disgruntled there.
Told with wit and understanding, rotating to a different teacher in each chapter, this is the story of a school in Texas that has a new superintendent, a man who has never taught but has written a best seller about how to fix education, who turns their school on its ear. Insane initiative after initiative being forced down the teachers’ throats—I thought that the continually increasing number of things they were required to write out on their boards throughout the book was a terrific metaphor for all the foolishness teachers are saddled with.
It was a story about people. Each in their own way a dedicated teacher. Each in their own way trying to survive another year in the classroom. Each in their own way reminding me of so many I have taught with.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who teaches, especially middle and high school. It was funny and sad at the same time. I think you’ll like it.
I received a free electronic ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Check out all my reviews at https://mrbsbookshelf.blogspot.com
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
I felt like I was privy to the inner workings of a school while reading this. A man who who has never studied education or worked in a school setting writes a bestselling book about the failures of the American educational system and becomes superintendent for the underperforming Brae Hill school district. He implements many new ridiculous “initiatives” which make the teachers’ already difficult jobs practically impossible. Told from the POV of several of the teachers.
jwalker320's review
4.0
As a teacher myself, this book was like reading about my own experiences in the world of education, which would then end up making me mad or frustrated. Considering school had just ended before I started reading this book, I probably should have waited a bit to read it. The author certainly captured the essence of the red tape and politics educators go through these days, which makes me feel hopeless and sad.
npshafer's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a copy of the book. As always, an honest review.
Adequate Yearly Progress accurately captures what I would imagine it's like to work in an inner city high school. The story starts out a few days before the beginning of the school year. There's a new superintendent who is ready to make some changes. Maybe with the students' best interests at heart, but definitely with an enormous lack of experience in the school setting. It sets up what's bound to be an eventful school year.
The chapters are told from different teachers points of view. This choice keeps the book fresh, interesting, and moving along quickly. The reader also gets a well rounded perspective of all the happenings within the high school. We mainly follow Lena, Hernan, Maybelline and the football coach. I like that the characters are diverse regarding gender, age, race, and life experiences. The story is a discussion about life in and out of the classroom. I really appreciated when the story would show the rich complex inner lives of the teachers. A great combination of serious and funny. I also liked the inclusion of one teacher's blog posts. I found it fun, modern, and added an additional perspective.
Most of the book was amazing; there were a few aspects that I didn't enjoy as much. A few of the teachers bothered me, personality wise. It's in keeping with a realistic perspective of a school, but they could still really annoy me at times. Also, the ending of the school year seemed a little rushed. However the teachers' personal lives were well paced.
Overall I really enjoyed getting to know the teachers in Adequate Yearly Progress. A humorous, realistic perspective of teaching with all of its challenges and wonderful moments. Definitely give this a read when it's released!
*My rating is actually 4.5 stars, but since there aren't half stars here, I always round up.
Adequate Yearly Progress accurately captures what I would imagine it's like to work in an inner city high school. The story starts out a few days before the beginning of the school year. There's a new superintendent who is ready to make some changes. Maybe with the students' best interests at heart, but definitely with an enormous lack of experience in the school setting. It sets up what's bound to be an eventful school year.
The chapters are told from different teachers points of view. This choice keeps the book fresh, interesting, and moving along quickly. The reader also gets a well rounded perspective of all the happenings within the high school. We mainly follow Lena, Hernan, Maybelline and the football coach. I like that the characters are diverse regarding gender, age, race, and life experiences. The story is a discussion about life in and out of the classroom. I really appreciated when the story would show the rich complex inner lives of the teachers. A great combination of serious and funny. I also liked the inclusion of one teacher's blog posts. I found it fun, modern, and added an additional perspective.
Most of the book was amazing; there were a few aspects that I didn't enjoy as much. A few of the teachers bothered me, personality wise. It's in keeping with a realistic perspective of a school, but they could still really annoy me at times. Also, the ending of the school year seemed a little rushed. However the teachers' personal lives were well paced.
Overall I really enjoyed getting to know the teachers in Adequate Yearly Progress. A humorous, realistic perspective of teaching with all of its challenges and wonderful moments. Definitely give this a read when it's released!
*My rating is actually 4.5 stars, but since there aren't half stars here, I always round up.
jamiedee24's review
5.0
Everything About This is Amazing!
They author climbed into the minds of thousands of teachers when she wrote this novel. I found myself laughing and cringing and crying with some of the characters and their story arcs.
We often hear the trite comment that “teachers are in it for the outcome, not the income”, but this story truly delves into what it is like to be a teacher in our current climate. From the students and their background stories to the staff meetings to the administrators who stopped listening, this novel hit every nail on the head.
They author climbed into the minds of thousands of teachers when she wrote this novel. I found myself laughing and cringing and crying with some of the characters and their story arcs.
We often hear the trite comment that “teachers are in it for the outcome, not the income”, but this story truly delves into what it is like to be a teacher in our current climate. From the students and their background stories to the staff meetings to the administrators who stopped listening, this novel hit every nail on the head.
kawarwick's review
4.0
Veteran teachers will find this book funny and many times truthful. I’m thinking admin won’t find it the same way,
kristenshep's review
5.0
Entertaining read even if you’re not a teacher!
This is a very enjoyable book with great character development. Even though I’m not a teacher, I appreciate how the author conveys the humor she sees in many frustrating aspects of the educational system.
This is a very enjoyable book with great character development. Even though I’m not a teacher, I appreciate how the author conveys the humor she sees in many frustrating aspects of the educational system.
readsewknit's review against another edition
4.0
I taught middle school and high school English for two years after college. I happened to become a statistic by leaving teaching early, although the reason I did was primarily because of a move out of state that would have meant I would have a *third* first year of teaching. I feared I would burn out with all the prep work required, particularly given the atmosphere of the public school environment was so much different from what I had trained for and taught in previously. I worked in a relatively small district that boasted two highly ranked liberal arts colleges in town, with invested parents who were firmly behind teachers, and most students had some self-motivation to succeed. Then I moved to a larger city where the graduation rate was much lower and there were metal detectors in the schools. For my own mental preservation and in acknowledgment I would likely be over my head and unsuccessful, I stepped away.
I still have a fondness for stories that focus on teachers, so when I heard of the premise of Adequate Yearly Progress, I picked up the book. Each chapter is told from the points of view of several teachers and administrators. Brae Hill Valley High School is located in the inner city and is receiving special focus from the new superintendent, who sends in a young consultant with more power than he deserves due to his limited classroom experience.
We get glimpses into the lives of the educators inside and out of the classroom. The cast of characters includes the coach more focused on winning football games, the earnest woman from Teach Corps who is convinced she knows better than seasoned teachers how to motivate and succeed, the English teacher who is a spoken-word poet outside of the classroom but struggles to be effective when her teenage students read more at an elementary level, the rigid math teacher who maintains a thin grasp on sanity with her plastic-sleeved binders, and the acronym-loving administrators who want numbers to improve but insist on less than helpful means that actually stand in the way of progress.
I was entertained by the book, seeing aspects of myself in different characters from my short time teaching and being able to resonate with struggles in the book. There's no one hero, as everyone is flawed, but that led to a genuine story and you find yourself rooting for (and against) specific characters. It feels tongue-in-cheek at points with the various caricatures, but that may be what helped me enjoy the story. And there are embedded truths that lead to genuine reflection on how there is a huge disparity in public schools in our country, based on socioeconomic status:
"Rich kids could mess up and still go on to college. They could commit crimes and still go on to become CEOs. They could cheat on their taxes, or defraud sick people, or run banks into the ground, and leave others to clean up their messes. Hell, they could even become president.
"Meanwhile, one screw-up could transform a kid like Gerard Brown or O'Neal Rigby from a superstar into a big guy with a criminal record who did menial jobs and made authority figures nervous."
(I was given a digital ARC from NetGalley and Rivet Street Books in exchange for my honest review.)
I still have a fondness for stories that focus on teachers, so when I heard of the premise of Adequate Yearly Progress, I picked up the book. Each chapter is told from the points of view of several teachers and administrators. Brae Hill Valley High School is located in the inner city and is receiving special focus from the new superintendent, who sends in a young consultant with more power than he deserves due to his limited classroom experience.
We get glimpses into the lives of the educators inside and out of the classroom. The cast of characters includes the coach more focused on winning football games, the earnest woman from Teach Corps who is convinced she knows better than seasoned teachers how to motivate and succeed, the English teacher who is a spoken-word poet outside of the classroom but struggles to be effective when her teenage students read more at an elementary level, the rigid math teacher who maintains a thin grasp on sanity with her plastic-sleeved binders, and the acronym-loving administrators who want numbers to improve but insist on less than helpful means that actually stand in the way of progress.
I was entertained by the book, seeing aspects of myself in different characters from my short time teaching and being able to resonate with struggles in the book. There's no one hero, as everyone is flawed, but that led to a genuine story and you find yourself rooting for (and against) specific characters. It feels tongue-in-cheek at points with the various caricatures, but that may be what helped me enjoy the story. And there are embedded truths that lead to genuine reflection on how there is a huge disparity in public schools in our country, based on socioeconomic status:
"Rich kids could mess up and still go on to college. They could commit crimes and still go on to become CEOs. They could cheat on their taxes, or defraud sick people, or run banks into the ground, and leave others to clean up their messes. Hell, they could even become president.
"Meanwhile, one screw-up could transform a kid like Gerard Brown or O'Neal Rigby from a superstar into a big guy with a criminal record who did menial jobs and made authority figures nervous."
(I was given a digital ARC from NetGalley and Rivet Street Books in exchange for my honest review.)