Praise for Leaving Johnny Behind

   "In Leaving Johnny Behind, Pedriana confronts the issue of how low literacy and academic failure create pathways to violent crime.  It is a compelling narrative of a fictional Johnny but a realistic portrayal nonetheless.  This book should be on every teacher's reading list."   —Cecile Guin, director, Office of Social Service Research and Development, Louisiana State University

     "Pedriana has written an important book.  Refusing to become embroiled in dichotomous debates, he takes the novel approach of drawing extensively from the best evidence available.  The result is a magnificent book that advocates for teachers, good research, and — most of all — student learning.  I highly recommend this book for anyone concerned about why we in America don't do a better job of educating our children, and what we can do to improve."  —Dr. Jeff Lucas, associate professor and director of graduate studies, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland

     "As an elementary school principal puzzled by the poor results of his school's reading programs, Anthony Pedriana is to be congratulated for taking the time to investigate carefully the research on beginning reading instruction.   How he proceeded should serve as a model to other elementary school principals and to those who train them.  And the conclusions he reached should serve as a call to arms: low-performing schools in this country often perform so poorly because of, not despite, the pedagogical training their reading teachers have received."     —Sandra Stotsky, 21st Century Chair in Teacher Quality, University of Arkansas

   "Leaving Johnny Behind serves as a clarion call for the next generation of reading instruction and literacy skill development.  Anthony Pedriana provides a clear view of the most effective approaches to reading instruction and how we can provide teachers the training and support necessary to transform virtually every child into a strong and confident reader.  If we are to make long-term improvements to our schools, we need to start with Leaving Johnny Behind."   —Patrick R. Riccards, CEO Exemplar Strategic Communications, former chief-of-staff, National Reading Panel

   "Pedriana's book is a gift to all teachers, administrators, and parents who care that ALL children become successful at the first and most important job of their lives: learning to read.  His elegant summary of research clarifies five decades of reading research identifying best practices and key ideas in literacy instruction.  His honest examination of literacy practices that work and don't work will sharpen the eyes and minds of all those who look to have best literacy practices in their own schools.  This book maps the path to equity and opportunity that is the promise of a literate society."   —Carolyn Olivier, former education director, Ennis William Cosby Foundation and co-founder of Landmark College, Putney, Vermont

   "Every parent, school board member, and policy maker in America should read this story to understand the incredible challenges of implementing evidence-based reading programs that work in America’s public schools. The only way we can ever hope to close the achievement gap is by encouraging more heroes like Pedriana to keep pushing against the status quo.” —Jack McCarthy, managing director, Apple Tree Institute for Education Innovation, Washington, DC

   "Pedriana has done an amazing job of covering the data on early reading while at the same time distinguishing between the various research platforms.  While there is plenty more to recommend it, on that basis alone, Leaving Johnny Behind should be required reading for both practicing teachers and those preparing to enter the field."  —Sally Grimes, Ed.M., founding director, The Grimes Reading Institute, Rockport, Massachusetts

     "Pedriana has exposed a raw nerve.  He has taken the educational world to task for its willingness to ignore scientific principles and thus create tragic patterns of school failure that will haunt children throughout their lives.  This book is a must read for teachers and those who must prepare them for the harsh realities of the classroom."  —Dr. Janie Hatton, former high school principal, National Principal of the Year and Deputy Superintendent of Schools.

   "Pedriana has captured the essence of what is wrong in public school education: teachers are not given the education, tools, mentors, professional development, and support required to teach our children to read.  This book eloquently outlines the scientific studies of how children learn to read and concludes from the data that reading mastery for all children is attainable, but only if we have the courage to acknowledge our mistakes and change the systems that have hurt so many."   —Cheryl Ward, president, Wisconsin Branch of the International Dyslexia Association

     "I highly recommend this publication for anyone who cares about helping students of all ages learn to read.  It is an excellent review of the unfortunate swing of the pendulum over the years about the importance of using phonics to teach reading."   —Joan Sedita, founding partner, Keys to Literacy

     "For the past twenty-five years, I have worked around the country with students who have struggled in learning to read and with teachers who have tried to help them.   In Leaving Johnny Behind, Mr. Pedriana exposes the educational community’s unwillingness to embrace best practices identified through legitimate science and the tragic consequences of that failure on both children and their teachers."     —John Alexander, Head of School, Groves Academy, St. Louis Park, MN

   "With Leaving Johnny Behind, Pedriana takes an important step as an educator, putting his finger on both what we need and where we've failed.  He makes it easier for other educators to do the same so we can all move forward and fix what's broken."   —Stephen P. Dykstra, Ph.D., Wisconsin Reading Coalition