📖adequate yearly progress - book review📖

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review☺️



Adequate yearly progress tells the story of multiple teachers at Brae Hill Valley high school who are all struggling in different ways. There’s a new super intendant which means there’s increasing pressures throughout the school board to meet certain standards, there’s differing opinions on the best way to be a good teacher and there’s challenging students to deal with day in and day out. Not to mention the teachers personal lives that in some cases affected their work.



I have never read a book like this before. It was fiction but read like non fiction. It almost reminded me of the office (but not quite as funny😅) if the office was set in a school. I’m not a teacher so I don’t know how accurate this story was but it felt real to me while reading. There are so many issues with the current school system and this book highlighted them in an educational and unbiased way. I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I learned so much and it really gave me a new appreciation for what teachers do every day. 4/5⭐️

I wanted to read this book as I saw a blurb about it being compared in the same category as Class Mom. Those books are hilarious. I really enjoy reading those books. Thus, the reason that I wanted to check out this book. Sadly, It was not like Class Mom.

First off, I not once found myself laughing. Second, I was struggling to find any connection towards the teachers. They seemed more sad than happy or funny. What they poked fun at about the routine of the start of another school year was not that funny. Although, teachers I am sure can and will relate to the different situations that the teachers face in this book. As I stated, this book was not for me. Yet, It seems that so far I am in the minority so don't take my opinion only. Try this book out for yourself.

📖 BOOK REVIEW⠀📚
BOOK: Adequate Yearly Progress
AUTHOR: Roxanna Elden
@roxannaeldenauthor
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Published: February 11, 2020
https://amzn.to/31PqXfs

This book is important in so many ways. The struggle between teachers and parents, the way we measure how kids are tested and learning...these are all things that are hot topics right now. Common core, for example, is hotly contested, as are charter schools. This book really brings to light the difficulties of navigating these issues within a fictional world of enjoyable characters.
For more thoughts on this, see my video!
https://youtu.be/yIjzNI-O3y0


Short Synopsis (abbreviate from Goodreads):
From the mundane to the insane, Adequate Yearly Progress captures the teaching experience with insight, humor, and heart.
Each year brings familiar educational challenges to Brae Hill Valley, a struggling urban high school in Texas. But the school’s teachers face plenty of challenges of their own. English teacher Lena Wright, a spoken-word poet with a deep love for her roots, can never seem to satisfy her students that she’s for real. Hernan D. Hernandez is confident in front of his biology classes, yet tongue-tied around the woman he most wants to impress: namely, Lena. Down the hall, math teacher Maybelline Galang focuses on the numbers as she blocks out problems whose solutions aren’t so clear, while Coach Ray hustles his football team toward another winning season, at least on the field. Recording it all is idealistic history teacher Kaytee Mahoney, whose blog gains new readers by the day but drifts ever further from her in-class reality.
And this year, a new celebrity superintendent is determined to leave his own mark on the school—even if that means shutting the whole place down. The fallout will shake up the teachers’ lives both inside and outside the classroom.
*****
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.
⠀

This book was very entertaining. You get a look inti the lives of teachers as they try to implement programs supposdly to improve children's education. I found this book to be an enjoyable novel and entertaining.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Although Adequate Yearly Progress is supposed to be a satire on the educational system, it seems pretty spot on. Giving major The Office vibes, this book goes through the lives of different teachers at an inner city Texas school. After getting a new superintendent, the teachers have to jump through more and more ridiculous hoops in order to increase district scores and fight off new charter and online schools.

I am not a teacher, but I can only imagine how much truth there is to this book. Roxanna Elden put a light and funny spin on the rigors teachers go through trying to teach kids. Coming from a small school system (with little funding) myself, I could really appreciate how students and teachers can be really abused by our current educational system.

Adequate Yearly Progress is a quick read I highly recommend to lovers of comedy. Also, give the next teacher you see a hug.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions were completely my own.

What a smart, witty, and fun book! A tongue-in-cheek look at the shortcomings of school systems - especially when they're managed from the outside.

Although I'm not a teacher, I have plenty of family and friends who have had some strong words about the school system. Too many hoops to jump through, the hurdles to actually <em>teaching</em> the material when they're bogged down with test-prep, the likelihood of burnout, the range of attitudes and capabilities of the teaching staff, and the abundance of frustrations with students and fellow staff. <em>Adequate Yearly Progress</em> addresses all these topics brilliantly, and with a healthy dose of snark.

I enjoy the wide range of characters - their approaches to teaching as well as life, what motivates them, and the bonds they form (or don't). The way Elden wraps up each storyline feels just right and balanced. Nothing too drastic, but not everything perfect in the end...just like life.

Overall, this is a fantastic satirical look at the nuances of a public school through the eyes of its teachers. It portrays the dichotomy of teaching perfectly: the moments of pride when you know you've made a difference in a student's life...that end up getting squashed by the things that completely suck the joy out of teaching.

*Thank you to Atria Books for a complimentary copy of this advanced reader’s edition in exchange for my honest opinion. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and all opinions expressed are my own.

A satirical novel rooted in reality, this book looks at what happens when teachers are held to ridiculous standards that are supposed to put children's learning first, but really just create confusion and paperwork. If you are a teacher, this book is 100% for you. I'm not a teacher, but from what I know about our education system, this is an exaggerated but not entirely unrealistic view of what teaching is like.

I did find some parts to be just a bit too over the top, which I think in many cases was the point, but for me as a reader it was sometimes distracting. Adequate Yearly Progress is an easy and quick read to dive into and will definitely entertain those working in education.

Adequate Yearly Progress is not a book I’d normally read. I like my books filled with a whole lot of romance and all it entails. But there are times when I get tired of it and want a normal fictitious book. We follow an array of fellow teachers and school administration as they navigate curriculums dedicated to improving students achievement.

I found it a bit too slow moving for me in the beginning. That’s not to say it wasn’t well-written, I guess I just couldn’t relate. I’m not a teacher and I feel like a lot of the satire in it was meant for those of the profession. If teaching is anything like this, then wow, it makes me a little sad that they have to jump through so many hoops.

This is a very interesting, entertaining, and clever book. I think a lot of people will get so much insight by reading Elden’s words. I enjoyed them as well; but not as much as I thought I originally would. There’s a sad reality in this that I’m glad the author addressed though. She tried to help the bittersweet by writing in the humor and that actually helped so much. The take from this is an important message to all!

MY REVIEW:

Wow, all I can say is, this story blew me away! I wasn’t a fan of high school, couldn’t wait until it was over and after reading ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS by Roxanna Elden, I guess high school life is still very stressful. Roxanna will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! What an awesome story. All of Roxanna’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again.



Teachers at Brae Hill High School have to deal with the changes that come with a new superintendent and a new school year in ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS. The story is so fast paced that I found myself having read one hundred pages in no time at all. The story is told through alternating views of several different teachers in the same high school district. The teachers’ professional and personal lives allows the reader to really see them in different situations. This book is advertised as “The Office meets teaching” and they aren’t kidding when they say that!



ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS is without a doubt one of my top funniest books I’ve read in 2020 so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. No matter how much money is offered, I don’t think I could ever handle the stress of being a teacher. ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS is a must read for teachers or people who need a perspective on teachers lives.



I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was great! The author was clearly an educator. This book was such a great combination--great, relatable characters, laugh out loud moments, moments you shake your head and want to cry, and times you're rooting the characters through. I love the way the author ended the book, however I wish a few more parts of the plot were wrapped up at the end. What happened to Hernan and Lena? This book is a great read for all, as a peek into the world of education, but is especially relatable as an educator who goes through the constantly changing/adding paperwork and initiatives.

Until recently, I worked as a school librarian in a Title I school with few resources. This book was so spot on in terms of describing that experience that I wondered if the author had a video of a day in the life of my school. This book is excellent, and I definitely look forward to what is next from this author. I think my favorite character was Hernan D. Hernandez. I would have loved a science teacher like him.

This was an entertaining read and opened my eyes to the challenges of teaching. I’ve always said that it takes a special person to be a teacher. I loved the cast of characters and the plot was very good.
Many thanks to Atria Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Parts of this satire of a high school in the United States was so close to reality it was breath-taking. This book is hilarious and depressing all at the same time. Administration vowing to do whatever it takes, without taking into account the toll on the teachers and students that they work with. Ridiculous expectations that are constantly changing. Moving the target without sharing that news. Teachers that are so competitive due to the high stakes placed upon them that they will sacrifice another staff member. Elden is on the ball with this book.

This book made my teacher heart laugh, cry, rejoice, and hurt with its accuracy. The book follows Lena Wright, a spoken-word artist and Language Arts teacher, Hernan Hernandez, a science teacher with a shyness problem, Maybelline, a math teacher who wants to be perfect, and Kaytee Mahoney, a second-year history teacher trying to make a difference, among others. The shift in point of view introduces new characters, and each character has their own unmistakable voice. The book takes you through an entire school year, the first year after a new superintendent takes over and starts implementing new policies and procedures for underperforming schools. This novel offers a uniquely accurate view into the lives of teachers in America, versus the motivational, uplifting message that is usually offered in novels about teachers. I absolutely loved and hated this book. I loved its realness, its accuracy, the writing. I hated its realness and its accuracy. It shines a light on aspects of education and teacher expectations that isn’t really shown elsewhere.

Adequate Yearly Progress takes place in a high school in Texas. The school is failing and how it effects everyone in this big Texas town. This book navigates the changes that a new superintendent brings to the table in hopes to better the schools report card. This books has a snarky voice that is echoed throughout.

This started off snarky, and funny (maybe even a little inappropriate) but...there were a few issues.

There’s some problematic stereotyping in this book, but I couldn’t tell if it was meant to be over-the-top and horrible to offer some sort of comedic value? Either way, there were a few parts that almost made me DNF this book (especially knowing that the author is white - or appears to be white). The football coach is the WORST - he says some horribly sexist, misogynistic things that feed right in to rape culture. Again - is the coach meant to be some horrible caricature of toxic masculinity? Or are we supposed to just “ignore” his comments because he’s a football coach?

It eventually just becomes kind of gloomy and sad. There’s not much joy in this book - not a lot of hope. Ultimately my rating is based on the red flags that this book raised for me, and not the quality of writing.

Having worked in a high school, and being married to a high school teacher, a lot of the points in this book made me chuckle and I found myself mentioning them to my husband. But again, some of it did seem a bit exaggerated (granted, that’s based on my experience working in a particular school - this could seem more realistic to someone who had worked in a school similar to the one portrayed in the book).

Adequate Yearly Progress is about a high school, in a large Texas city, that has been underperforming in terms of results. Teachers, brand new and long time, navigate the high expectations of a new superintendent, education consultants, and teenagers. It’s the story of how the faculty deals on a daily basis with school life, personal life, and reality. Adequate Yearly Progress is filled to the brim with humor, broad stereotypes, and nuggets of truth. I think current teachers, especially high school teacher, will relate to the travails of the Brae Hill Valley HS teachers.

Oh my goodness, the SNARK! 🙌🏼 I loved it! This tongue-in-cheek look at a public school through the teachers eyes was spot on! The emphasis on testing, the weight gain from stress eating, the range of teachers attitudes...all of it was spot on! Adequate Yearly Progress accurately depicted the hoops teachers now have to jump through, the eventual burn out, and the feelings of JUST LET ME TEACH that everyone in the public school setting has felt at one time or another. This book was the perfect depiction of the things that suck the joy out of teaching with the overwhelming, all encompassing pride when you see your students succeed. This was satire at its finest and I loved this easy, quick, witty read. 4⭐️ Thank you @atriabooks for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

I was blown away by Adequate Yearly Progress (which is still a phrase that makes me shiver and groan, and I’ve been out of the classroom for two years). This is the first of Roxanna Elden’s books I’ve read, and I LOVED it. I’ve worked in a very high needs elementary school similar to Brae Hill Valley, and you can tell that Elden is very familiar with what the environment is like. The characters are experiences in this book are so real, and occur daily in classrooms around the country. In addition, I loved how deep the personalities of the main characters were, and how Elden brought their personal lives into the book, to show how the environment at school impacted them even more. Her character development is fantastic. I’d love to see a sequel to this book, and continue to see how Brae Hill Valley does in the next year.

To the negative reviewers: I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but THIS is what it’s like in a high needs, struggling school in today’s world. Elden is not exaggerating. There are people who need to get out of the education profession, but there are so many teachers, principals, and other professionals who are devoted to their students, but are hampered by the mandates put on them by people unfamiliar with effective, research-driven practices and the student population that they serve.

Be on the lookout in June or July for a buddy read with this book. I’d love to read this book with a group of teachers, former teachers, or people who support teachers and discuss it (but not during the school year).

Thanks to @netgalley, @atriabooks, and @roxannaelden for the #gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Each new school year brings familiar challenges to Brae Hill Valley, a struggling high school in one the biggest cities in Texas. But the teachers also face plenty of personal challenges and this year, they may finally spill over into the classroom.

English teacher Lena Wright, a spoken-word poet, can never seem to truly connect with her students. Hernan D. Hernandez is confident in front of his biology classes, but tongue-tied around the woman he most wants to impress. Down the hall, math teacher Maybelline Galang focuses on the numbers as she struggles to parent her daughter, while Coach Ray hustles his troubled football team toward another winning season. Recording it all is idealistic second-year history teacher Kaytee Mahoney, whose anonymous blog gains new readers by the day as it drifts ever further from her in-class reality. And this year, a new superintendent is determined to leave his own mark on the school—even if that means shutting the whole place down.

This novel takes a humorous look at a struggling school and its teachers. While the characters seemed a little too over exaggerated, this was fun to read!

As a teacher, I found a lot of the circumstances and characters familiar, if a bit over the top. I wanted to see how these teachers ended up! I'm not sure non-teachers would really get this, but if you are or a family member is a teacher, one click!