Intentional Excellence

Content: The «Excellence Paradox» in Our Public Schools - The Promise and Possibilities of Excellence Campaigns - Excellence Is Contagious, Inherently Additive, and Politically Viable - Excellence as a Responsibility, as Curriculum and Pedagogy, and More Evidence of Its Power - Implications for Regional Improvement: Reflections on the Role of Excellence Beyond Education - Time for a New Role: Excellence Engineers - The Pedagogy, Power, and Politics of Excellence in Latina/o Schools and Communities in the 21st Century.

Louie F. Rodríguez is an associate professor of educational leadership at California State University, San Bernardino. His work focuses on equity issues in urban schools and communities and examines and explores what works, particularly from the perspective of students' voices. He completed his masters and doctorate degrees at Harvard University.

«In this compelling new book, Louie F. Rodríguez shows us that rather than aiming for higher achievement (as measured by improvements in test scores), schools serving low-income students of color must aim for excellence. He does more than merely implore us to do this, he provides concrete examples to show how this is and can be done. For those who believe that education has the power to transform lives by igniting aspirations, expanding opportunities, and cultivating a love of learning, this book will be an invaluable resource» (Pedro A. Noguera, Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education and Executive Director, Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools, New York University)
«Louie F. Rodríguez provides asset-based narratives on achievement for Latin@ youth by offering a new and innovative lens on excellence for Latin@ school success. This practical framework for nurturing the development and enactment of excellence is very useful to K-12 educators who are desperately seeking to meet the academic and social needs of a variety of students of color.» (Dorinda Carter-Andrews, Associate Professor of Teacher Education, Michigan State University)
«This must-read book turns school failure on its head and provides a riveting testimony to the power of excellence in Latino communities and schools» (Gilberto Q. Conchas, Professor of Educational Policy and Social Context, University of California, Irvine; Author of The Color of Success)
«Given how often education reformers study what does not work, Louie F. Rodríguez provides tools and a roadmap to uplift excellence. In doing so, he is changing the narrative of achievement; shifting the paradigm from a deficit-orientation to a solution-based beacon. This important work will encourage communities to implement systemic change that is part of a larger movement for equity and social justice.» (Vajra Watson, Director of Research and Policy for Equity; Founder of Sacramento Area Youth Speaks