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abby315's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone should read! Also one of the most compulsively readable nonfiction books I’ve read recently.
helterskelliter's review against another edition
5.0
“A wolf is lurking at the door of America’s public schools—prowling, biding it’s time, and waiting for the pack to assemble… what does it take to frighten away a wolf? Shouting, making noise, and standing talk.” (xxi-xxii)
So, this is perhaps one of the most sobering, truly chilling books I’ve read in a while.
In this book, Schneider and Berkshire paint a vivid and rather bleak picture of not just the current state of public education in America but also of the trajectory if the public is not compelled to intervene.
From the sharp criticisms of basic factors such as spending on teachers and classroom sizes to more inflammatory—and, frankly, complex—concerns such as oversight, curriculum, standardized testing, and policy making, this book explores how [largely] conservatives in the private sector are actively trying to dismantle public education + community relationships with public education and reformat the “whole operation” as a true business aligned with free market practices rather than a mission aligned with propagating the most public good.
It’s actually sickening to read some of the pages in this book. As an educator (in a community college), I found some of the practices being not just promoted amongst conservative circles but being loudly endorsed by conservative politicians to be so flagrantly in the disservice of students and their learning needs that it disgusts me. The apathetic and, honestly, reckless approach that so many of these self-appointed “education reformers” are applying to the practice of educating this country’s young people is heartbreaking.
I said this book sickened be at points but, really, I mean it saddened me.
“‘…where are the children and who is looking out for them?’” (199)
This quote is introduced in a different context than I am introducing it here but I couldn’t help but come back to this sentiment when I finished reading this book.
If educators and those in positions to provide care, support, and learning to children are not looking out for children, then who is?
Should that not be the core of our work as educators?
Overall, I think this is an, at times, bleak but necessary and important exploration of how public education has arrived at the state it is in. If you don’t address and name the problems at hand—if you don’t point out the wolf, how can you possibly begin to fix anything, to fight back?
Very insightful! Highly recommend, not just for educators and parents but for anyone a part of any community anywhere! We ALL benefit from public education, after all—that’s supposed to be the point~
So, this is perhaps one of the most sobering, truly chilling books I’ve read in a while.
In this book, Schneider and Berkshire paint a vivid and rather bleak picture of not just the current state of public education in America but also of the trajectory if the public is not compelled to intervene.
From the sharp criticisms of basic factors such as spending on teachers and classroom sizes to more inflammatory—and, frankly, complex—concerns such as oversight, curriculum, standardized testing, and policy making, this book explores how [largely] conservatives in the private sector are actively trying to dismantle public education + community relationships with public education and reformat the “whole operation” as a true business aligned with free market practices rather than a mission aligned with propagating the most public good.
It’s actually sickening to read some of the pages in this book. As an educator (in a community college), I found some of the practices being not just promoted amongst conservative circles but being loudly endorsed by conservative politicians to be so flagrantly in the disservice of students and their learning needs that it disgusts me. The apathetic and, honestly, reckless approach that so many of these self-appointed “education reformers” are applying to the practice of educating this country’s young people is heartbreaking.
I said this book sickened be at points but, really, I mean it saddened me.
“‘…where are the children and who is looking out for them?’” (199)
This quote is introduced in a different context than I am introducing it here but I couldn’t help but come back to this sentiment when I finished reading this book.
If educators and those in positions to provide care, support, and learning to children are not looking out for children, then who is?
Should that not be the core of our work as educators?
Overall, I think this is an, at times, bleak but necessary and important exploration of how public education has arrived at the state it is in. If you don’t address and name the problems at hand—if you don’t point out the wolf, how can you possibly begin to fix anything, to fight back?
Very insightful! Highly recommend, not just for educators and parents but for anyone a part of any community anywhere! We ALL benefit from public education, after all—that’s supposed to be the point~
mediumyellow10's review against another edition
3.0
Wowowow okay. As someone who is hoping to take over care for a child that is currently in a charter school (and is not great at school! She's behind in a lot of subjects!!) I guess I just always assumed that charter schools are better? And don't get me wrong, I have always been all for supporting public education and making sure students are provided with resources and proper, well rounded educations through their public school because ~everyone deserves resources and education without them being hidden behind a paywall~ but I had no idea how antithetical to public schooling charter schools are. And like, looking back as someone who went to a weird little private school that operated out of 3 trailers through all of elementary school... Yeah goddamn I don't think any of those teachers were actually certified or educated in teaching. Also booooo trying to promote charter and private schools and virtual schools to make teachers who are in the union obsolete as a form of union busting wtfffff. Anyways, fuc Betsy Devos fr
abbyfrelier's review against another edition
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Realizing from my perch of a life spent entirely in NY and with no children I am woefully out of touch with the state of our public education system across the US. Absolutely stunning the way we're failing our kids.
vivandbooks's review against another edition
Was doing this on audio. Was not able to wrap my brain around it. I’ll get a hard copy.
kaydenj's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Surface level review without true consideration of root causes, critiques of policies, or proposed solutions.