In this book Peterson interprets the history of American schools by placing major educational reformers in the context of their times and relates their thinking to our own era by scrutinizing the often unanticipated consequences of their commitments and ideas. These extraordinary individuals provided the critical ideas and articulated the ideals that motivated many others to search for ways to save the schools from the limitations in which they were embedded: Horace Mann, John Dewey, Martin Luther King, Al Shanker, William Bennett, and James S. Coleman. The drive to centralize was pervasive despite repeatedly expressed reform desire to customize education. Peterson argues that education has become an increasingly labor intensive industry that must reverse direction and become more capital intensive or it will descend in quality. Fortunately, technological change is making it possible radically alter the way in which education services are delivered, providing a new chance to save our schools.
Paul E. Peterson is Henry Lee Shattuck Professor of Government, Harvard University.
Table of Contents
Contents Introduction Part One: The Rise 1. Heroes and History 2. Horace Mann and the Nation Builders 3. John Dewey and the Progressives 4. Martin Luther King, Jr. and School Desegregation Part Two: The Decline 5. The Rights Movement Diversifies 6. Albert Shanker and Collective Bargaining 7. Money and the Adequacy Lawsuit 8. William Bennett and the Demand for Accountability Part Three: Signs of Resurrection 9. James S. Coleman and Choice Theory 10. The Practice of Choice 11. Julie Young and the Promise of Technology Abbreviations Appendix: Figures Notes Index
What People are Saying About This
Chancellor Joel Klein
Paul E. Peterson has written a deep and rich history of public education in America and the people and forces that shaped it. He brings together policy, research, and political issues with genuine sophistication and hard-edged thinking. He believes we're finally poised for a big step forward, using technology to customize the learning experience and empower both students and their families. Chancellor Joel Klein, New York City Department of Education