One of America’s leading book review services, Foreword / Clarion Reviews, reviewed The School Choice Roadmap: 7 Steps to Finding the Right School for Your Child (Beaufort Books), in advance of the book’s January 21, 2020 publication date.
In a review written by Karen Rigby, Foreword / Clarion described The School Choice Roadmap as “a reassuring guide for parents” and called the book “a fair-minded resource.”
Notable quotes from the Foreword / Clarion Review:
“A reassuring guide for parents, Andrew Campanella’s The School Choice Roadmap is all about navigating the sometimes overwhelming decisions around K-12 enrollment.”
“Its outlook positive, the book emphasizes the idea that school choice is personal, not political. It sidesteps the public versus private school debate, suggesting that parents research the options that are available where they live. What matters, it asserts, is what’s best for each individual student; it argues that parents are the experts when it comes to knowing their kids.”
“Presented in two parts, the book first forwards an objective overview of six types of schools: traditional public, public charter, public magnet, online public, private, and home. It argues the potential benefits of each, discussing the facts in a friendly way that’s appreciative of how busy parents are. This section will be helpful for cutting through school mission statements and numerical ratings to evaluate the key features which are relevant to a family’s circumstances. Its information sticks to standard definitions. In its second portion, the book outlines seven steps toward choosing a school.”
“The book features some noteworthy schools from across the nation, from schools that are steeped in language immersion, STEM, or the arts to those that focus on college preparation or special needs. These examples demonstrate that good schools can be found in many settings, both public and private. Quotes from parents and educators reiterate the importance of considering each child’s unique makeup to find a good fit, and they represent a variety of perspectives. Helpful charts depict potential choices across fifty states.”
“When it comes to deciding, the book’s clarifying worksheets are designed to help. They center on thinking about personal values, urging parents to recall the pros and cons of their own school experiences and to consider their children’s interests and strengths. Such reflective exercises are helpful for focusing one’s personal criteria. Practical information, including a list of questions to ask on school tours, takes away some of the anxiety about picking the “right” place.”
“The School Choice Roadmap distills American educational options for busy parents, whom it encourages to look beyond one-size-fits-all thinking. With a convincing platform that’s based on helping children thrive, this is a fair-minded resource.”