Recommendations for improving America's schools arrive from all arenas and spectators including, business leaders, community members, school faculty, administrators, and parents. While many of the proposals are sound and offered with good intentions, few, if any, are given or implemented with student input. Although there is a tremendous amount of research documenting students' achievement, behavior, culture, and dropout rates, very little information comes from students' own point of view. What would students say about their schools, curriculum, administrators, and teachers if given the chance, without repercussions? In this era of accountability and the demise of "good education", their answers are more than pertinent. Thirteen Years of School gives those in grades K-12, the opportunity to tell us—the public, parents, and school personnel—what going to school is like for them and their peers. In this book, author Lisa Scherff has allowed students-within 16 different states and 32 cities-from a wide range of backgrounds and geographic locations, to submit stories, letters, editorials, and art representing their viewpoints concerning American schools. The topics addressed are: · Stress · Future goals · Favorite teachers · Harassment · Homophobia Full of humor, heartbreak, and hope, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to make schools better for all students.