Summary

Time has long been recognized as a serious obstacle to successful school reform. In Racing with the Clock , ten teachers write about time-related frustrations growing out of school reform efforts and how the problems were (or were not) resolved. The descriptions are rich with specific examples of what it is like to actually experience school reform and how it impacts on a teacher's already full day. The cases are preceded by contextual descriptions, and a chapter by the editors on time-related issues raised by the cases. Each case study also includes one or more commentaries prepared by representatives (e.g., principals, department chairpersons, other teachers) from schools and districts discussed. They present new or different perspectives on the issues, and identify new questions and topics for discussion within the cases. The book concludes with an insightful essay by Andy Hargreaves, who worked with the teachers in constructing their cases.