This is one of those rare books that focuses on a relevant and critical element necessary for real and authentic student learning. When educators have the knowledge and skills to cause students to own their own learning, like those so clearly demonstrated here by Dr. Lewis Willian and Dr. Rocky Wallace – life trajectories are transformed.

Jeff Hawkins Ed.D, President and CEO, The Greenleaf Center, Executive Director, Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative

Drs. Wallace and Willian provide practical ideas and strategies around a new paradigm in student ownership and teacher empowerment. They have creatively given practical strategies housed within clever and real school examples. The offer a research-based, realistic approach for schools on how to handle the matter of student ownership.

Michael G. Hylen Ph.D

The work outlined here by Dr. Willian is the step by step process and model used to lead our school to the designation of distinction in the state of Kentucky. Willian and Wallace’s book is an excellent read for personal growth, leadership, staff development and could be used as a guide to improve culture, climate and student achievement within any school setting.

Jim Evans, Lee County School Superintendent

The Student Ownership Initiative (SOI) book is an easy read and useful resource for teachers and school administrators in their quest to improve Career and College Readiness data. If ever there was a “how to document”, this is it! I have witnessed first-hand how Dr. Lewis Willian used this material to transform a low performing school to one of the top ranked in CCR in Kentucky. If implemented with fidelity, your school too will likely celebrate increased CCR success!

Carol J. Christian Ed.D, Director of the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics at Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky