Laying Down the Law

Excellent book by the principal author portrayed in the Lean on Me film. Every educator should read this book, especially principals, and parents. Principaling and teaching in schools back then was difficult, but perhaps not as difficult as it is nowadays. Joe Clark did an amazing job at Eastside High School, first by removing all the broken windows, which I presume was based on the "broken windows theory" program mentioned in Blue Bloods TV series, and then by cleaning up the property.

This book is a must read for conservative educators who believe that fairness, consistency, and realistic discipline are the keys to re-claiming American schools. Clark's strategies are frank, realistic, and optimistic. Though the book is a bit dated, it has aged well and has dealt openly with educational problems that continue to plague our nation.

I strongly recommend reading this book. As an a young administrator in a public school, it is nice to see someone with the desire and drive to do what is right for kids. The story of Eastside and what Mr. Clark did there is truly inspirational. One of the reviews about this book criticized Mr. Clark because a large majority of the 300 students he expelled from Eastside are now in prison. At some point, you must sacrifice the few for the good of the many. Imagine how many more would be in prison if he had not done what he did. I think that anyone that cares about the state of public education right now needs to read this book.

Feel good I have a Dream speeches are not going to reform urban schools in America, tough love and discipline will. Obviously the above reviewer went to a nice middle class school, because these urban ones, like Chicago Public, are a nightmare and quite dangerous. One feels like their in a correctional facilty instead of a learning center. Gang members and drugdealers are not in need of saving by teachers. Thats not their job. They are their to teach. Youth who have decided to be urban terrorists need to be kicked out and let the correctional facilities handle them if their parents can't. 2700 shouldn't suffer because bleeding hearts want to stuff 300 miscreants and thugs in with them. Those 300 need to be in a boot camp. Gangs should be zero intolerable, not tolerated. But who cares if poor urban youth are terrorized by gangs in their school? While the ehite kids get a nice safe education.

As a teacher of a 6th Grade class in a New York City public school, it is very rare to find a Principal who cares about the children in their school. There are other school administrators who allow students to literally " Run the school ". Disruptions of any kind in the school setting are not to be tolarated. In many instances, it is the Principal of a school who " Lays Down the Law ". Those in the education profession that take on the mindset of Principal Clark will have model school and classroom settings to be proud of. Principal Clark's demeanor is definately needed in the urban school environmment to bring about positive results.

If you enjoyed the movie "Lean on Me" you will love this novel written by the main character, Principal Joe Clark. As a teacher myself, this is a must read for anyone interested in the importance of education in a multicultural diverse or poverty stricken environment. I love this book and give it my highest recommendation!