Creative Schools - by Ken Robinson & Lou Aronica (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A revolutionary reappraisal of how to educate our children and young people by Ken Robinson, the New York Times bestselling author of The Element and Finding Your Element.

Ken Robinson is one of the world's most influential voices in education, and his 2006 TED Talk on the subject is the most viewed in the organization's history. Now, the internationally recognized leader on creativity and human potential focuses on one of the most critical issues of our time: how to transform the nation's troubled educational system. At a time when standardized testing businesses are raking in huge profits, when many schools are struggling, and students and educators everywhere are suffering under the strain, Robinson points the way forward. He argues for an end to our outmoded industrial educational system and proposes a highly personalized, organic approach that draws on today's unprecedented technological and professional resources to engage all students, develop their love of learning, and enable them to face the real challenges of the twenty-first century. Filled with anecdotes, observations and recommendations from professionals on the front line of transformative education, case histories, and groundbreaking research--and written with Robinson's trademark wit and engaging style--Creative Schools will inspire teachers, parents, and policy makers alike to rethink the real nature and purpose of education.

Review Quotes

"Compelling...Robinson wants a revolution in education...and he wants us--you--to be the change."--The Guardian

"Creative Schools is one of those rare books that not only inspires and brings a new sense of possibility to the goal of transforming education, but also lays out an actionable strategy. Ken Robinson is leading a daring revolution to change how we understand schools, learning, and most importantly, the passion and talent of our students. This is a global game-changer and I'm in."--BRENÉ BROWN, PH.D., author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Daring Greatly

"Creative Schools is wonderful and enjoyable. It makes us rethink what real schooling, learning, and creativity means."--MALALA YOUSAFZAI, author of I Am Malala and Nobel Prize Laureate

"Ken Robinson's Creative Schools offers a brilliant and compelling vision for what education must become. His powerful call to action cites wonderful examples where the education of the future is happening today. Don't miss this important book!"--TONY WAGNER, author of Creating Innovators and The Global Achievement Gap and Expert In Residence at Harvard University's Innovation Lab

"Make me care. Sir Ken and Lou turn these three words into a mantra for the future of education. We don't do education to students, we do it with them. I hope every teacher and every parent reads this."--SETH GODIN, author of Stop Stealing Dreams

"Sir Ken Robinson has been a leading voice for radical change in education for decades. In Creative Schools, he not only articulately defines the problem, but also provides a practical roadmap for transforming the system one school at a time. Far from being a pipe dream, Sir Ken Robinson highlights educators who are leading the charge and revolutionizing education NOW."--DAVE BURGESS, New York Times bestselling author of Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator

"From the pen of the world's expert on creativity comes a comprehensive and compelling statement of why creativity matters for everyone, what it looks like in action, what kinds of curriculum and assessment systems are needed to support it, and how to get there. Inspiring and so readable you will feel Sir Ken is talking directly to you."--ANDY HARGREAVES, author of Professional Capital and Thomas More Brennan Chair at Boston College's Lynch School of Education

"Ken Robinson is the world's most potent advocate of global education transformation; his clarity, passion and insight have inspired millions, including me. This book is not only a catalyst, or call to action; it is a manifesto; a practical exploration and celebration of what is possible. Now it's up to us; we must read, react and accelerate the revolution."--RICHARD GERVER, author of Creating Tomorrow's Schools Today

"Sir Ken Robinson does it again with this compelling book. His explanations and examples are spot on. As Creative Schools shows, there's no denying the change is occurring."--ELLIOT WASHOR, Co-Founder of Big Picture Learning and author of Leaving to Learn

"Forget the chatter about disruptive technological and economic forces in education. Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica vividly describe the disruptions that are needed if we are to have quality education in our time."--HOWARD GARDNER, author of Five Minds for the Future

"This is the book we have been waiting for from Sir Ken Robinson --laying out what is fundamentally wrong with our education systems, and correspondingly showing what and how it should and could be different. He makes creativity, and much more, come alive. Don't start reading this book unless you have three hours before you, as you will have difficulty putting it down. Then, think about what you might do and re-read the book with others to start making the changes. Creative schools indeed! The timing is perfect."--MICHAEL FULLAN, OC. Professor Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto and author of The Principal: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact

"This book is a wake-up call to the emerging global human resources crisis. Increasing boredom, disengagement and dropouts among students have become chronic aspects of many school systems around the world. Creative Schools is a must-read for anyone who is interested in critique, vision, and theory of change for the new course of schooling." --PASI SAHLBERG, author of Finnish Lessons 2.0: What can the world learn from educational change in Finland

About the Author

Ken Robinson is one of the world's most influential educators. Listed by Fast Company as "one of the world's elite thinkers on creativity and innovation" and ranked among the Thinkers50 of the world's top business thought leaders, he advises governments, corporations, and leading cultural institutions. Lou Aronica is the author of four novels and coauthor of The Element and Finding Your Element. He lives in Connecticut.