“Perfect Test” Selected as One of the Year’s Best Education Books

The American School Board Journal selected a mystery written by UCLA staffer Ron Dietel as one of the top 10 notable books on K-12 education for 2011.

The journal is published monthly by the National School Boards Association, which serves more than 40,000 school board members and top-level administrators from districts across the nation. Click here to read the article in UCLA Today.

The Perfect Test

The Perfect Test is now available as an e-book, from Springer Publishing. University of California faculty, staff, and students may read an on-line version by clicking here.

Nice article, Author to Donate Proceeds… in the La Cañada Valley Sun about The Perfect Test.

Might be perfect man… Announcement of Book Signing – April 21st, 7:30 p.m., Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse

Sense Publishers – two free chapters!

Amazon – free shipping!

Barnes and Noble – free shipping!

If you are attending the 2011 Education Writers Association meeting, the American Educational Research Association meeting, or the National School Boards Association meeting, all in early April, I’d love to meet you in person. For times and dates, see Speaking Events.  Ron

All royalties are being donated to the Education Writers Association and Learning Matters.

Early Praise for The Perfect Test

“Ready for a break, for a romp? Pick up Ronald Dietel’s The Perfect Test. It’s a dystopian vision of a world gone crazy, a science fiction portrait of the future that often comes wickedly close to where we are now.” John Merrow, President, Learning Matters

“A perfect test, a secret list…a murder. I haven’t even gotten my review copy but I’m already excited  about The Perfect Test, Ron Dietel’s forthcoming school reform novel.” Alexander Russo, This Week in Education

“At a moment of national testing madness,the story-line was both fun and gripping.  And like all good mystery/science fiction, educational too.  I won’t give away the ending.” Deborah Meier, New York University: teacher, writer, and public activist. Author of In Schools We Trust and Many Children Left Behind.

Dietel draws deeply from his Air Force Academy cadet days and years at a UCLA research organization to explore the question “Can educational testing go to far?” An engrossing piece of fiction that is hard to put down. Terry Vendlinski, Air Force Academy graduate, Class of 1979.

“Like The Name of the Rose and The Da Vinci Code, this story [the Perfect Test] grabs the reader and won’t let go.” Paul Baker, Education PR – University of Wisconsin.

Ron Dietel’s The Perfect Test reads like a Stephen King novel. A perfect blend of mystery, action and constant surprises, nicely intertwined in a future world of national high stakes tests. You won’t be able to stop reading it. Jim Kohlmoos, President, Knowledge Alliance: Research to Action in Education.

Ron Dietel clearly illuminates the downside of high-stakes student testing in this gripping mystery.  Let’s hope we don’t wind up like this…or have we? Read it and decide for yourself.” Kathy Hernandez, a former PTA president.

The Perfect Test by Ronald Dietel is in the final publication stages by Sense Publishers. To receive notices of availability please sign up on the list.