In the Best Interest of Students

This timely educational resource offers English teachers a balanced perspective on navigating the Common Core standards while maintaining effective literacy instruction. Gallagher provides concrete strategies for enhancing student literacy through proven classroom practices, arguing that educational standards should serve rather than dictate quality teaching. The book thoughtfully examines both the strengths and limitations of current educational mandates, positioning itself as essential reading for educators seeking to preserve meaningful instruction amid shifting requirements.

What distinguishes this work is its practical approach to integrating standards with authentic literacy development, focusing on what genuinely advances students' reading and writing abilities. Gallagher's classroom-tested methods provide educators with actionable ways to balance compliance with effective pedagogy, making this particularly valuable for teachers feeling constrained by standardized curricula. The result is a compelling case for putting student learning at the center of educational decisions, offering both inspiration and practical tools for creating dynamic English classrooms.