The conventions prevailing today in most schools throughout the world, in which rote memorization is still, anachronistically, prized originated in early-nineteenth-century Prussia, where the compulsory school system was designed to churn out loyal and obedient soldiers and factory workers. The model was never meant to nurture individual potential or creativity, but rather to instill uniformity and compliance." (p. 16) If you want your child to end up just like the author did, read this book and pray, but don't rely on the first option. This book is essential reading for everyone in education or anyone who is a parent. At times disturbing and sad, and with a level of honesty rarely seen, the authors give a candid account of the reality of our system for some students – those who don't easily fall-in with our increasingly narrow and punitive education system. Square Pegs fired me up to do more and keep pushing for what I believe in – these are 'uncomfortable truths' of our system which prioritises competition, individualism and conformity. History is written by the victors they say, and too often, education policy is written by those who have been successful within that system. These are hard voices to listen to, but listen we must, and use those insights to get into action. Well done for the courageous, authentic and rigorous work. Square Peg - My Story and What It Means for Raising Innovators, Visionaries and Out-of-the-Box Thinkers, by L. Todd Rose is a great book with great ideas for our modern classrooms. Todd Rose was himself a 2E child. And the system failed him. He tells the story of how he was given a poetry assignment, and because he actually enjoyed writing poetry, he did it. His teacher failed him, thinking he had cheated, since Todd didn't try on any assignments, as a general rule. Even when Todd's mother plead his case to the teacher, the teacher held firm to the failed grade.

I really enjoyed this book because it shows that you have to look at everything in a child's life that is helping/hurting them. Sometimes it is even the parents style of parenting that might be hurting the child. You should also consider that but never rule it out. If you are a helicopter parent, STOP IT, and let them live a normal live. If you are too free-spirited as a parent, then maybe providing some rules and boundaries will help them. Kids need structure but never at the level of what helicopter parents have. Square Peg is entertaining as well as informative. I appreciate the "Big Ideas" and "Action Items" at the end of each chapter. It is a nice way to summarize what points Rose believes are the most important from all the information and personal anecdotes he provides. Square Peg includes an epilogue with Rose's current research findings, chapter notes, and a bibliography.Square Pegs - Inclusivity, Compassion, and Fitting In," is a highly anticipated book that has resonated with potential readers in a big way. This comprehensive guide features 38 different chapters and 53 contributors, offering a diverse array of perspectives and experiences. Although the author says that there is not one factor in his growth beyond being a challenging child with misbehaviors, the one thing that comes through over and over again is that his mother stood in the gap for her child and believed in him. The other beliefs about himself he discovered on his own.

This book should be an essential piece of reading for everyone who works with, or is interested in the lives of children who struggle to be included or are often overlooked. In the midst of a lot of noise and anger about a failing system, it focuses our attention on the humanity of children, their individual needs and how to support them to succeed. The short chapters mean it is a book that can be dipped in and out of regularly, looking at excellent legal and practical advice as well as inspirational stories of success. So what makes this book different from all the others? The author shows his thought process about how he viewed the world and how the world viewed him. He made this a personal journey about all his troubles and what he did to fix them and arrive on top. He combined the idea of his personal struggles with how the world views trouble makers like him and what they try to do about it. He wanted to show the world that kids like him can come out on top, if they get the support they need. Budget cuts, the loss of support staff, an overly academic curriculum, problems in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and difficulties accessing mental health support have all compounded pre-existing problems with behaviour and attendance. The 'attendance = attainment' and zero-tolerance narrative is often at odds with the way schools want to work with their communities, and many school leaders don't know which approach to take. I particularly like the practical tips and advice to help those supporting children who find the schools experience challenging. It should also give educational policy makers and regulators much food for thought in their oversight of our educational system.Budget cuts, the loss of support staff, an overly academic curriculum, problems in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and difficulties accessing mental health support have all compounded pre-existing problems with behaviour and attendance. The ‘attendance = attainment’ and zero-tolerance narrative is often at odds with the way schools want to work with their communities, and many school leaders don't know which approach to take. This is an outstanding book in terms of content, awareness and relevance of the issues facing schools with increasing numbers of learners falling by the wayside. The authors enable the reader to reflect on real issues that arise and ways forward to promote potential. The book will be a major asset for teachers and lecturers at all levels to develop confidence, awareness, and personal safe practice to promote change. In particular, it serves as a reminder to all senior managers to change the mind set from re-shaping the square peg to broadening the round hole. To be generous to it, this scattergun approach does get you thinking and encourages you to form your own opinions. But while showcasing so many voices lends the book some weight, I can’t help but feel that it’s lost without a clear sense of where and how to apply it. A more coherent and aligned set of views would have allowed for a clearer and more impactful message.