This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education

The José Luis Vilson’s book “This Is Not A Test” is a book to read twice. The first time to enjoy the amazing writing style and get a general idea of what his ideas about education are; and the second to gain a fuller understanding of his ideas and come up with a response. The response can be agreeing, disagreeing, indifference, agreeing to an extent, disagreeing with the how but agreeing with the way, and any other combination of feelings towards what is being said. On the whole weather you agree to disagree or are anywhere in between, this book will expose you to new ideas about teaching and schooling. This book is different from other books on education as Vilson lends himself to it entirely. He includes poems so beautiful that are hard not to rip out to post on the wall or copy down into a notebook.

This is really 3 1/2 stars. As a 30-year veteran of public school teaching, who is a white male, and who has spent the last 11 years teaching in a district which is overwhelmingly populated with poor children of color, I looked forward to this book--for some perspective, some validation and most importantly some insight. What I read was a book that did not really count me as a target reader. What I got was a book that at times was a little too self-congratulatory. Young, beginning teachers, especially those that are of color or who teach mostly children of color should read this book. JLV's voice is one you should hear and attend to. You won't learn tricks of the trade...he is not Rafe Esquith or John Owens, but JLV's call to action and finding your voice will serve the future of our profession well, if heeded. I wish this book had been around 15 years ago. The last 1/3 of the book I found full of highlightable points. And it is very well written and edited. So I do recommend this book. I just think it was written to a target audience, and I feel a little like an uninvited guest at the party.

If you're not too aware of the issues facing education in the United States today, I highly recommend you start with "This is Not a Test." Jose speaks with honesty, emotion, and intelligence. While part memoir, his experience is very common in urban education. The difference with Jose is that while others may write about policies, initiatives, and failures in public education, Jose uses his experience as a student, educator, and parent to highlight all three. A great read for anyone looking for a different perspective on public education.

It is a clear representation of the School System; how teachers are bullied into not standing up for rights.This is not a test has been written for modern parents and teachers. It presents a view of the realities of paying for research instead of paying for quality teachers.

Engages like a novel, sings wisdom like a griot, TEACHES in every way possible. If I had been in Vilson's math class, maybe I would be less frightened of numbers; as a writer I'm dazzled with how he deploys words. Give them to any teacher you know.

This book resonated for me as a former classroom teacher who taught in an urban school district with a highly diverse student population. Jose voice is real on what it means to teach kids who are often not lovable, but who need teachers who love them regardless.

Excellent book combining autobiography with a critique of how we treat children (and adults) of color in schools. Every educator should read this for a perspective on how racism is a part of public education. I especially appreciated Jose's honesty when talking about his early struggles as a teacher. It is inspiring to know that I am not alone in learning how to teach well.

In this memoir/reflection/guide/policy statement of a book, everyone involved in education can find something of value and resonance. As a teacher who was trained via the same program (NYC Teaching Fellows), and has taught in similar schools, Vilson's book spoke directly to me, and enlightened me with his pull-no-punches observations of how race and class affect our students, ourselves and the system.