Bruce S. Cooper, PhD, is professor of education leadership at Fordham University Graduate School of Education, NYC. He co-authored the book Truancy Revisited with Rita Guare, which updates and reexamines the issue. Jon Shute is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He has over 15 years teaching experience in elementary and secondary classrooms. He also has a strong background working with at-risk students, as well as English language learners and students from diverse ethnicities.
The authors convincingly challenge prevailing conceptions of the landscape of truancy-a surprisingly fresh must read for those who believe in equity for all. -- Eula Ewing Monroe, EdD, Mathematics Educator, Brigham Young University This important book expands upon Truancy Revisited, giving voice to students themselves and offering practical recommendations to address this growing problem. It makes an important contribution to research and practice. -- Lance D. Fusarelli, Ph.D., professor, North Carolina State University A day absent is a day lost forever! Schools must ensure that lessons are relevant, motivating, and challenging; and school-life meets students' social/emotional needs as well as their academic requirements. -- Stan Kaminsky, coordinator, Educational Leadership Internships, Fordham University GSE Shute and Cooper have produced a powerful piece of work to help close the academic achievement gap, and increase graduation rates among students of color. Half the battle is understanding the negative effects of student truancy, and educators and parents must take ownership in this critical task. -- Carlos R. McCray The authors take a provocative stand by considering how schools are perpetuating truancy. This book encourages educators to build a collaborative vision to prepare our children for the future and eliminating the path that leads to truancy. -- Linda Venenciano, PhD, college of education, curriculum research & development, University of Hawaii [The book] is focused and serves as an effective impetus to facilitate professional reflection. The book will be very useful for both current and future educators, as well as professionals in ancillary fields. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above. CHOICE