Without Trumpets

As Kentucky's commissioner of education, I inherited a school improvement unit and system that provided evidence-based guidance, support, and resources for struggling school districts. Not gimmicks or quick fixes, but tried and true strategies for transforming culture and practice. When leaders buy in, regardless of setting, these principles work. In the 2nd edition, Kelly and Susan document the system's continued success.

If we are to provide students with opportunities to achieve their own version of the American dream, we must ensure that schools are institutions of learning committed to student success. In Without Trumpets, Kelly Foster and Susan Allred lay out the wealth of tools and mindsets needed for this change. I had the honor of knowing and working alongside of their incredible efforts. If you are in the business of improving education, you cannot find a better tool than Without Trumpets.

In the second edition of Without Trumpets, Susan and Kelly have updated the collaborative work being done among the Governor's office, the State Board of education, the Kentucky Department of Education, best practice vendors, school districts, schools, students, and their communities to build sustainable systems of improvement in Kentucky's schools. As colleagues, Susan and Kelly taught me the importance of using systems to achieve positive change. This book is a must read if you care anything about school improvement.