Frederick M. Hess - A Search for Common Ground: Conversations About the Toughest Questions in K–12 Education

One of the great challenges in education improvement today is how often our political fights and ideological polarization get in the way of doing whats best for kids. Rick and Pedro perform a civil service wading into our toughest educational disputes and show that respectful engagement can surface principled common ground.

Governor Jeb Bush , founder and chair, ExcelinEd

We are stronger, and smarter, when we work together. We reach better results when we listen to one another. This courageous conversation about how we leverage and work through our differences of opinion to produce meaningful improvements for students, families, and educators is a template for our nation and for school communities all across the United States. If we commit to the work of respecting one another enough to listen and learn, as Dr. Noguera and Dr. Hess have done here, we can indeed break through the polarization that too often hampers our progress and create a better system for learning in our country.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

If you despair that our public schools are beyond repair, read this book. If you despair that people of widely divergent views can no longer debate them without rancor, read this book. (If neither of these thoughts are bothering you, do a little homework and then read it!)

Governor Mitch Daniels , president, Purdue University

When it comes to education, Americans agree much more than our polarized political rhetoric would suggestand where they disagree, they can still find civil ways to speak across their differences. Thats precisely what Rick Hess and Pedro Noguera demonstrate in this sharp and perceptive book. Lets hope the rest of us can follow their example.

Jonathan Zimmerman , professor of history of education, University of Pennsylvania

This is a book for our times: a back-and-forth between two leading thinkers on important, complicated education policy issues. Its real value, beyond its content, is the way Rick and Pedro engage to learn. By sharing experiences and data, delving deeply to understand each others motivations, and seeking areas of agreement without papering over disagreements, they model the policy conversations we need today.

Rajiv Vinnakota , president, Institute for Citizens and Scholars

Its nice to read an exchange between two leading scholars on the issues education leaders must contend with. Thoughtful and engaging, readers will find this book useful for understanding the complex challenges facing schools today.

Austin Beutner , superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District

This book is a master class in breaking through the silos that polarize education reform and breaking down why they exist in the first place. It should be required reading for any education leader, graduate student, or parent who seeks to understand the complexity of school improvement. It weaves political philosophy, politics, and the perils of implementation together in an infinitely readable volume.

Celine Coggins , executive director, Grantmakers for Education

We dont agree on everythingand that is the point of this book. We can have vigorous debates, see each others perspectives, learn from the conversation, and, where possible, find common ground to advance excellence and equity for kids.

Elisa Villanueva Beard , CEO, Teach for America