New book about the current educational reform movement features Niagara University faculty and alumni
A recently published book about the current educational reform movement entitled “Confronting Oppressive Assessments: How Parents, Educators, and Policy-Makers Are Rethinking Current Educational Reforms” by Rowman and Littlefield Publishers includes chapter contributions by Niagara University faculty and alumni.
Dr. Walter S. Polka, professor of professional rograms and coordinator of the Ph.D. program in leadership and policy; Dr. Donna Kester Phillips, associate professor of education; Dr. Jeffrey R. Rabey, adjunct professor in educational leadership; and Dr. Rachael Rossi, adjunct professor in the Ph.D. program in leadership and policy; were joined by another Niagara University alum, co-editor Dr. John E. McKenna, as authors in this book.
Co-editor, Dr. Polka, MA,1970; MS,1971; SEA,1974, served as an adjunct professor at Niagara University from 1970 until he joined the Niagara faculty as a full-time tenure track professor in 2008. He was the superintendent of schools at Lewiston Porter School District from 1990 to 2003. Dr. Phillips, who joined the College of Education faculty in 2002, currently is teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in educational foundations and literacy. Dr. Rabey (Ph.D., 2014), who is currently the superintendent of schools in the Depew Union Free School District, has been teaching as an adjunct professor in the educational leadership program since 2012. Dr. Rossi (Ph.D., 2014), who currently works with GED students in Niagara Falls, recently joined the Niagara University faculty as an instructor in undergraduate writing courses as well as an adjunct professor in the Ph.D. program.
Dr. John E. McKenna, co-editor of the book, received his Master of Science in Education and competed his New York State School District Administrator Certification in 1993 from Niagara University. He is currently the principal of Fletcher Elementary School in the Tonawanda City School District as well as the President of School Administrators’ Association of New York State. He also previously taught the school building administration course at Niagara University.
The book consists of twelve chapters written by parents, educators, and policy-makers that not only presents a critical analysis of the impact of the current educational reform movement on students and teachers but also provides viable research-based recommendations for more appropriate reforms. It includes a Foreword by Jamie Fulmer, business executive, who was a former corporate reform advocate, and an Afterword by David C. Berliner, Regents Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University.
The book is currently available via Amazon.com and will soon be available at the Niagara University bookstore.