In 1989, Chicago began an experiment with radical decentralization of power and authority. This book tells the story of what happened to Chicago's elementary schools in the first four years of this reform. Implicit in this reform is the theory that expanded local democratic participation would stimulate organizational change within schools, which in turn would foster improved teaching and learning. Using this theory as a framework, the authors marshal massive quantitative and qualitative data to examine how the reform actually unfolded at the school level.With longitudinal case study data on 22 schools, survey responses from principals and teachers in 269 schools, and supplementary system-wide administrative data, the authors identify four types of school politics: strong democracy, consolidated principal power, maintenance, and adversarial. In addition, they classify school change efforts as either systemic or unfocused. Bringing these strands together, the authors determine that, in about a third of the schools, expanded local democratic participation served as a strong lever for introducing systemic change focused on improved instruction. Finally, case studies of six actively restructuring schools illustrate how under decentralization the principal's role is recast, social support for change can grow, and ideas and information from external sources are brought to bear on school change initiatives. Few studies intertwine so completely extensive narratives and rigorous quantitative analyses. The result is a complex picture of the Chicago reform that joins the politics of local control to school change.This volume is intended for scholars in the fields of urban education, public policy, sociology of education, anthropology of education, and politics of education. Comprehensive and descriptive, it is an engaging text for graduate students and upper-level undergraduates. Local, state, and federal policymakers who are concerned with urban education will find new and insightful material. The book should be on reading lists and in professional development seminars for school principals who want to garner community support for change and for school community leaders who want more responsive local institutions. Finally, educators, administrators, and activists in Chicago will appreciate this detailed analysis of the early years of reform.

An Excellent text. Full of useful information on the daily uses of chemistry. Well written, great CD-ROM. Many texts use CD-ROMS, but few are able to place students in a virtual laboratory to the extent that this production does. Very nice graphics, nice problems, and useful tutorials for all aspects of the chemistry these authors are trying to cover.

Nobody in my classroom wanted to read this book because it's a learning book. But when I saw it and picked it up, I knew it was my soulmate. This book has taught me a lot about loving God, being kind to others, and especially loving and respecting your family. And that's why I think other children should read this book. And I hope that they'll enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you.

Having studied under David Scaer, I have come to appreciate his insights and his dedication to the confession of the Christian faith. He is a man who leaves no stone unturned, who questions traditional views yet always finds a way to support and teach what Scripture says and what the Church has always taught. Most importantly, Dr. Scaer does not locate his theological security in the ability to re-hash what everyone else said before, nor does he assume that his experiences of Christianity are normative simply because they are his own. Rather, Dr. Scaer questions his own views and subordinates them to the person, words and work of Jesus.

These qualities in the writer provide for a solid presentation of the Lutheran understanding of Christology. For those of you who may be reading this review and are not yet familiar with this term, let me explain: Christology is the study of Christ's person and work as the Scriptures describe Him. Particularly, the Person of Jesus is a phrase used to speak about the fact that Jesus is truly 100% God at the same time as truly 100% man, with distinctions but no divisions between the two natures. Christ's work concentrates on the area of His atonement for all sin on the cross, His justification of sinners, His Resurrection, His life, His teachings, etc.

Many things make this book valuable. First, Dr. Scaer tries to address modern heresies on their own ground. Instead of providing an alternate framework to posit questions, Dr. Scaer tries to argue from the inside out - and then watches as the faulty arguments fall under their own weight. He engages the Quest for the Historical Jesus, 20th century theologians of all kinds, and current views. At the same time, Scaer addresses the theological differences between various groups (ex: the classic tensions between historical Lutheranism and historical Calvinism).

Second, though this book is short, it condenses a great amount of thought into it. In many ways, Scaer's books are like springboards for new and deeper considerations. For example, Scaer comments on the Calvinist Christological view that the finite flesh of the man Jesus is incapable of the infinite Son of God, and so (acc. to some Calvinists) the Son can also be found outside the Man. Lutherans have always asserted that this Calvinist view denies the Incarnation, but Scaer brings up some more points to consider. "If the finite is intrinsically incapable of entering into union with the infinite, then the finite has the possibility of being an obstacle to the infinite, and thereby, at this one point, superior to it" (pg. 26).

Here is another thought: "The crucifixion, more than any other moment in the history of the world, or Israel, or even of the life of Jesus, is the greatest manifestation of God's essence. It is not without purpose that the first two evangelists concentrate the testimonies that Jesus is God's Son in the moment of the cross (Mt 27:40, 43, 54, Mk 15:39). The cross is an affirmation of God's triune essence and not incidental to it. Only when God is thought of in majestic and transcendental categories and not in terms of love and compassion is the cross with its suffering a contradiction or paradox" (pg. 75).

In summary, I strongly recommend this book. The language may be challenging at times for the inexperienced (but such is the case with many good theological books... the best way to learn the language is to start reading). Scaer organizes his material around the themes of the Creed. A thorough book for its size and one that I will continue to read.

I found this book to be the best in this area. Many of the others I looked into were too compact, too poorly detailed, or far too many advertisements, difficult to read or just too hard to figure out. Mr Eicher does the job right. Each battlefield is detailed out with great maps, numbered markers and a condensed history. The maps are perfect for a colored marker pen to assist when driving along or for walking the trails. My first copy, after my vacation two years ago, disapeared, so I bought another copy for my trip next year. A great gift or keep handy for your next trip to Chickamaug, Five Forks, Franklin or when watching a theme related movie. Five and a half stars. Check it out!

This is probably the best single text I have ever seen for the practicing physician interested in clinical gastroenterology. The book is practical, clearly written and does not contain a great deal of extraneous material or information of interest only to laboratory scientists. Illustrations and tables are excellent. The text is very up to date. The physiologic descriptions are concise and valuable. All in all a must for any physician who comes in contact with patients who may have digestive diseases.

While reading "Revolution" I had a conversation with a freind, Linda, and she just purchased "The Coaching Revolution" on-line. I told Linda, I read through half of Logan and King (finishing up the excellent Core Values section), and said "You gotta look at getting this book..." Reading Logan and King is different experientially-- being that I'm reading some of what I have heard in conversations with John King. The book is an easy and quick read.

I'm reading Logan and King... and don't read books. I read text books and periodicals. I like Shakespeare and Eliot-- very prolific and also VERY dead.

Love the book. And it was particularly inspiring. Today I put my name in for a Function Manager position-- one that I am likely to be considered for, and also for a lead position in another project entirely. Thank you.

This book will be the standard for all other books about collaboration to measure themselves. Mr. Chrislip is among the best facilitators of collaborative processes anywhere. The author is also a skilled teacher and is able to convey both his knowledge and lessons of experience in this book. Clearly written, this book is well balanced between intellectual knowledge and practical experience. A step-by-step pathway is presented as well as specific examples of successful collaborations. Anyone interested or involved in collaboration in the public or private sector will benefit from this book. Facilitators of collaborative efforts will find themselves pulling this book off the shelf often as a useful guide and reference.

Concise, and image intense discussions are to the point yet encompass all necessary details. Excellent resident review book and excellent for the generalist in practice. Highly recommended.