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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
This book is honestly heart-wrenching. It’s obviously dated, but as someone who has worked in both affluent and “urban” schools, it hits hard. It’s shameful and saddening and disgusting that this is a reality that continues. Everyone should read this, no matter how much it may hurt.
This is a really good red about the challeneges in the public school syste, Although the book is a little dated at this point, it still touches on ideas and issues that are still prevalent today. Well-written and represetative of current issues
Friendly reminder that segregation in schools is alive and well (and stronger!) in the 21st century!
Engaging book that highlights the deep discrepancies in America's schools. Written in 1992, but the messages still hold true today. Contrasting poor schools in districts such as East St. Louis and San Antonio with richer schools such as New Trier High School outside Chicago really highlights the differences and causes the reader to think about why these inequities exist and what it will take to change them. Some difficult issues are discussed, such as rich families' blaming of poor school's performance not on lack of money, but on parental attitudes; other issues discussed are families' reluctance to cross bus with other areas of town, as well as their reluctance to vote for measures that would increase funding for low-income schools- the "other people's children" mentality.
Ever want to be depressed about the state of American education? Read this.
Though it was published in the early 90s, many of the systems and practices that deprived socioeconomically disadvantaged & minority children of access to quality education then still exist today. This is a powerfully eye-opening read for educators, parents, and concerned citizens everywhere.
It's nothing I didn't already know from personal experience, but I suppose that fact just confirms its relevance.
One thing I didn't like, though: the recurring suggestion that what makes our education system really shameful is that it complicates the narrative of "American" exceptionalism. "One might expect to find these problems in other countries," the explicit or implicit argument goes, "but to find them here--how awful!"
That framing of the subject, combined with the title, made me rather squeamish. (Are we trying to avoid being "savage"? Because that's not a problematic concept at all...)
But hey, if that's what it takes to shake people out of complacency, then maybe it's justified--I don't know.
In any case, the book as a whole is excellent.
One thing I didn't like, though: the recurring suggestion that what makes our education system really shameful is that it complicates the narrative of "American" exceptionalism. "One might expect to find these problems in other countries," the explicit or implicit argument goes, "but to find them here--how awful!"
That framing of the subject, combined with the title, made me rather squeamish. (Are we trying to avoid being "savage"? Because that's not a problematic concept at all...)
But hey, if that's what it takes to shake people out of complacency, then maybe it's justified--I don't know.
In any case, the book as a whole is excellent.