Classrooms are systems, schools are systems, and schooling in the United States is a big system. Changing any of those systems requires an awareness of how they work; what they produce; and where to apply time, energy, and resources. Current systems could be much better in meeting students' current and future needs. Student Relevance Matters: Why Do I Have to Know this Stuff? aims to clarify the most intrinsic reasons to learn, thereby bridging the gap between content and meeting student needs. This allows for compelling visions, and visions are the seed of learning. This book describes current classrooms, students, and the relationships between them through systems viewpoints—one positive and the other skeptical that they are working as effectively as they might. Each content area is viewed through a lens of deep purpose and how that meets students' needs in timeframes that work best for students. Using those purposes as lenses, knowledge areas are redefined and skills provided to help make those purposes a reality in classrooms today.

"Kolis (Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire) has written an enlightening, thought-provoking book for educators who believe in student-centered teaching. He presents ideas about how to develop discipline-specific lessons that connect the classroom to the "real world." Many of today's secondary students are interested only in the actual purpose of education; they want to know how this knowledge will help them in college and in the professional world. Kolis inspires teachers to create lessons that challenge young learners to think critically and to look beyond the classroom. Teachers who are advocates for inquiry-based learning, backward design, and teacher collaboration will appreciate all this book has to offer. Kolis even makes reference to "twenty first century learning" and The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, an organization that promotes collaboration between education and the community." - CHOICE