When School Policies Backfire provides readers with powerful examples that illustrate how well-intentioned policies often ‘backfire’ and produce unintended consequences that undermine the intent of the policy. Readers will be reminded that if we really seek to improve public education, good intentions are just not good enough. — Pedro A. Noguera, distinguished professor of education, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles

Highly readable, and rich with diverse examples, this terrific volume fills a gap in the literature on policy implementation in education. Gottfried and Conchas have assembled a fascinating set of thought-provoking case studies, and succeed in teasing out some important lessons. — Dominic Brewer, Gale and Ira Drukier Dean, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University

With the signing of ESSA, this book provides an important and timely discussion on some things to avoid in the rush to get it right—namely, policies that may backfire. When School Policies Backfire shows how efforts to rescue kids often ended up doing the opposite. School leaders can learn much from this important and groundbreaking work. — Carl A. Cohn, executive director, California Collaborative for Educational Excellence

When School Policies Backfire is a sobering reminder of the responsibility that policy makers and researchers bear for the well-being of our most vulnerable students. — James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review

When School Policies Backfire provides, in a readable context, the need to analyze past policies and practices to understand that the best ideas do not always succeed nor do they help whom they are intended to help. The message of the book is simple and yet is so very important. — Rosalind Raby, Teachers College Record