Alan M. Blankstein

Alan M. Blankstein is the renowned author of Failure Is Not an Option (Corwin Press, 2004) and Engaging EVERY Learner (Corwin Press, 2006). He provides keynote presentations and staff development workshops that reach thousands of professionals annually through organizations including ASCD, NASSP, National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children, Illinois Council of Administrators for Exceptional Children, and the International Association of Special Educators.

Blankstein began the HOPE Foundation (Harnessing Optimism and Potential through Education) as a nonprofit organization whose honorary chair is Archbishop Desmond Tutu. HOPE supports educational leaders in creating school cultures where all students succeed, especially underserved students. Blankstein and the HOPE staff began their work around "quality" and "professional learning communities" in 1988 by bringing W. Edwards Deming and his work to light in educational circles through a series of Shaping America's Future forums and videoconferences. Annually, the HOPE Foundation provides support for some 10,000 leaders through Courageous Leadership Institutes, Courageous Leadership Academies, and comprehensive school reform based upon the Failure Is Not an Option learning communities of HOPE (http://www.hopefoundation.org).

Blankstein has written articles for Educational Leadership, The School Administrator, Executive Educator, High School Magazine, and Reaching Today's Youth. He founded the National Educational Service (NES) in 1987 and ran that organization for twelve years. Additionally, Blankstein produced the PBS-ALSS and C-Span productions titled Breaking the Cycle of Violence and Creating Learning Organizations: Growth Through Quality.