This book critically analyses the current education political strategy of cultivating excellence in education. It shows how the new policy for selecting talented students in Denmark deconstructs the compromise from which the comprehensive school was built and reduces equal opportunities. It discusses how the current practice of measurement, selection and guidance of talented students brings about significant changes in education policies, in pedagogic practices, a restructuring of school organisations, and changed requirements of teachers. It explains how the internal differentiation of education systems based on self-selection and free choice, but also on new assessment techniques, tends to widen the inequality gap between students. The analysis clearly shows the relationship between the circulation of new ideas and normative frameworks at international level, and their transfer into national policies, while situating these developments in a socio-historical perspective. The book illustrates by means of a concrete case study with important empirical data that demonstrate the reality and influence of this new policy on the day-to-day work of teachers.

Why and how do world-class leaders and great performers consistently beat their competition? ​They realize they cannot go it alone. They use teams and coaches to amplify their results. Many performers who have already surmounted exceptional tests and challenges and have succeeded in business, sports, the military, or the arts well beyond their peers think performance is only up to the individual. Many become frustrated when hours of hard work, years of experience, and expensive educations don’t lead them to the top of their domain. They are already among the best, but they want to be the best. The elite realize there is only so much they can do on their own to achieve that status. They understand they need coaches, colleagues, and competitors to provide the collaboration and competition that serves as a constant push to keep forward momentum going toward attaining that next level. In Cultivating Excellence, Darryl Cross uses thirty years of experience to show top performers that the key to continued enhancement of performance and success is an exceptional coach and team. They guide the elite performers to see situations and challenges in new ways (art), to perfect their craft to the nth degree (science), and to commit to deliberate practice that eliminates performance gaps (grit) and puts the summit within reach.

In Cultivating Genius, Dr. Gholdy E. Muhammad presents a four-layered equity framework--one that is grounded in history and restores excellence in literacy education. This framework, which she names, Historically Responsive Literacy, was derived from the study of literacy development within 19th-century Black literacy societies. The framework is essential and universal for all students, especially youth of color, who traditionally have been marginalized in learning standards, school policies, and classroom practices. The equity framework will help educators teach and lead toward the following learning goals or pursuits: Identity Development--Helping youth to make sense of themselves and others Skill Development-- Developing proficiencies across the academic disciplines Intellectual Development--Gaining knowledge and becoming smarter Criticality--Learning and developing the ability to read texts (including print and social contexts) to understand power, equity, and anti-oppression When these four learning pursuits are taught together--through the Historically Responsive Literacy Framework, all students receive profound opportunities for personal, intellectual, and academic success. Muhammad provides probing, self-reflective questions for teachers, leaders, and teacher educators as well as sample culturally and historically responsive sample plans and text sets across grades and content areas. In this book, Muhammad presents practical approaches to cultivate the genius in students and within teachers.

The volume examines how leadership and layers of leaders are developed and cultivated from the classroom to the boardroom. Some of the topics include leadership recruitment and selection processes, retention, coaching and mentoring, placement and continued professional development support for aspiring and practicing leaders.

Academic staff and students within higher education settings are confronted by a learning environment that is academically stimulating, informative, career-focused and socially rich, which can be intensely competitive and highly charged. Within this learning environment, academic staff and students are often at risk of compromising their wellbeing in their pursuit of academic excellence. This book provides an examination of the key areas that are important to the sustenance of wellbeing within higher education settings, with a view to promoting healthy learning environments. The chapter authors are predominantly working in the Asia-Pacific rim, but the book also includes more universal perspectives. The synthesis of the issues covered in the book is crucial to the understanding of higher education as not only an environment for gaining knowledge and skills relevant for success in academic and career domains, but also as an environment for developing socially adept and authentic communication skills. The ideas presented in this book will further assist academic staff and students to consider ways to more fully participate in their learning environment so that they can optimize their valuable contributions to the professional communities they serve.

In the bustling landscape of education, there exists a realm where greatness thrives—a place where students flourish, teachers are empowered, and a vibrant community of learners thrives. Welcome to the heart of an incredible school culture. In these pages, we embark on a journey to explore the essential elements that transform ordinary schools into extraordinary hubs of learning and growth. It's a journey guided by a simple yet profound truth: that the strength of a school lies not only in its academic achievements but also in the richness of its culture. Imagine a school where values aren't just words on a poster but guiding principles that shape every interaction and decision. Picture classrooms buzzing with excitement, where students are not just passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in their own learning journey. Envision a staff united by a shared vision, where collaboration and innovation are the norm rather than the exception. Building an incredible school culture is no small feat—it requires dedication, intentionality, and a deep commitment to the well-being and success of every member of the community. It's about creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and valued, where teachers are empowered to unleash their full potential, and where parents and community members are partners in the educational process. In these pages, we'll delve into the strategies and practices that lay the foundation for a thriving school culture. From clarifying and communicating values to promoting inclusivity and equity, from fostering strong relationships to celebrating achievements, each chapter will offer insights, practical tips, and real-life examples to inspire and guide you on your own journey of cultural transformation. Whether you're a school leader seeking to cultivate a positive learning environment, a teacher eager to create a classroom where every student can succeed, or a parent invested in the educational experience of your child, this book is for you. Together, let's embark on a quest to cultivate excellence and build an incredible school culture—one that inspires, empowers, and transforms lives.