“Schwarz offers an inspiring chronicle of scholarly triumphs and generous citizen activism, as well as a constructive blueprint for boosting achievement without abandoning public education.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A call to action for citizens and educators so that the achievement gap can be closed as rapidly as possible.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“What a fun and instructive story of the birth and growth of an important social enterprise, from one of our nation’s most insightful social entrepreneurs. The Opportunity Equation offers new perspective on what it will truly take, inside and outside the traditional classroom, to provide an excellent education for all of America’s children. Anyone working, or volunteering, to close opportunity and achievement gaps should read this book.”
—Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach For America and CEO of Teach For All
“Eric Schwarz and Citizen Schools have empowered thousands of low-income children across America so they could graduate college, get terrific jobs, and join the middle class. In The Opportunity Equation, Schwarz shows us what public education needs to look like if America is going to continue to be a leading economic power.”
—Geoffrey Canada, president of the Harlem Children’s Zone and author of Fist Stick Knife Gun
“For twenty years Citizen Schools has been lifting up opportunity from East Durham in North Carolina to East Oakland in California. Now, the organization’s visionary founder has laid out a new blueprint for our schools in the twenty-first century, a vision with more mentoring, more time for learning, and more real-world projects—more of all the stuff that our wealthier children already take for granted. Bravo!”
—Edward Fiske, former New York Times education editor and author of The Fiske Guide to Colleges
Foreword: The Imperative of Equal Opportunity and the Importance of Citizen Schools—Lawrence H. Summers
Introduction: The Opportunity Equation
Section One: Starting Citizen Schools
Chapter One: Building Blocks
Chapter Two: Maureen
Chapter Three: “It’s My Turn!”
Chapter Four: Turning Point
Chapter Five: Organization Man
Chapter Six: The Eddy is Ready
Chapter Seven: Scale, Spread, and the Pursuit of Systemic Change
Section Two: How Citizen Power and an Expanded Learning Day Can Narrow Achievement Gaps, Broaden Opportunity, and Strengthen America
Voices from Citizen Schools: Joyce King Thomas, volunteer
Chapter Eight: Citizen Power and the Importance of Mentoring
Chapter Nine: It’s About Time
Chapter Ten: From a Nation of Consumers to a Nation of Makers: Inspiring Creativity and Innovative Thinking in Our Schools
Chapter Eleven: Social Networks and Social Skills
Chapter Twelve: Supporting Teachers, and Parents Too
Voices from Citizen Schools: Lindy Smalt, AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow
Section Three: Next Steps for America and for You
Chapter Thirteen: A Civic Marshall Plan for Equal Opportunity
Voices from Citizen Schools: Agostinha DePina, student
Appendix: Expanded Learning Time Schedule with Citizen Schools
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index
