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read_to_read's review against another edition
4.0
I've often been attracted to the myriad of articles in the press around higher education. Articles around standardized tests, about demographic breakdowns, and about future prospects have all drawn me in.
In this book I felt that, for maybe the first time, I was getting an actual picture of the entire landscape. I was seeing details that dug deeper into the media snippets and helped me to draw an understanding of where they came from and why they might exist.
He did a great job of exploring the problematic incentives that make the situation so hard to resolve while also showing in numerous ways that we had good reason to be hopeful and feel that we can affect real change.
In this book I felt that, for maybe the first time, I was getting an actual picture of the entire landscape. I was seeing details that dug deeper into the media snippets and helped me to draw an understanding of where they came from and why they might exist.
He did a great job of exploring the problematic incentives that make the situation so hard to resolve while also showing in numerous ways that we had good reason to be hopeful and feel that we can affect real change.
hbkelley's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic book! I learned so much that was largely frustrating and infuriating about the inequities of getting into and succeeding in college. However, there were glimmers of hope and people and programs making a difference.
submergedplane's review against another edition
4.0
Well put together indictment of some current higher education systems. The dive into stats and policy is backed by really interesting anecdotes which kept it surprisingly engaging. I enjoyed Tough's piece on This American Life a while back, and he certainly didn't disappoint here.
jabennett2194's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best book I have ever read. I hope to be a professor like David Laude or Uri Treisman!
angrysandal's review against another edition
5.0
everyone needs to read this book!!! especially if you are like me and constantly wondering why you're in college and if it's even "worth it". this book has completely upended the way I look at college admissions and CollegeBoard (i hate it more than before). there is such a need in the US to restructure the way we treat students and the way we view public education! felt disheartened and hopeful while reading this...thanks and gig em
lucyk01's review against another edition
5.0
Required reading for anyone remotely interested in education, our economy, or the "is college worth it" question--I hope the sequel focuses on community colleges.
missantarctica's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible but a bit painful, this cut VERY close to the bone for me.
eowyn's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting, well-written book about inequality and how our educational institutions perpetuate it, along with some ways that people are succeeding in making things better. Many engaging stories about students, faculty and other educators. Highly recommend (even if you don't have a kid heading to college soon!).
mayag's review against another edition
I’m not going to finish this one. Not because it isn’t worth reading, it absolutely is. But for me, it is a bit too personal. My own story tracks many of the kids he profiles. And reading about how our college system is so unfair is too depressing for me to read right now.
pleaseinsertpun's review against another edition
5.0
College is supposed to be the path to social mobility in the United States, but that doesn't seem to be true any more. There are exceptions, but on average rich students go to elite schools and stay rich, middle class students go to non-elite schools and stay middle class, and poor students don't go to college or drop out with debt. Tough asks why this is happening, looking at everything from standardized testing and test prep to lack of funding to college rankings that reward enrolling rich students, focusing on the real lives of students. The Years That Matter Most strikes to the heart of what isn't working about college in America.