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mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Informative, but depressing (at least if you have any hope in recent popular educational reforms). Ravitch points out the evidence against choice, charter schools, testing, etc... While I appreciate the focus on countering the fads, I would have appreciated much more a focus on efforts that work.
ermesomega's review against another edition
2.0
Great topic and good information.
The overall format of the book could be improved. It feels like it could have been summed up in half as many pages. Many topics are retread over and over without delving deeper into the "why" of what is wrong.
One of the main issues deals with testing, which is mentioned over and over. A solution is only mentioned once and fixes are briefly covered. Issues with race and poverty are alluded to, but no real depth is discussed. It dances around larger questions about education reform without asking hard questions. Corrupt politicians, rogue capitalist firms, free market pressures, which it talks about existing, and chides, but never asks why they occurred, or why they existed. I only write this because the book was so long and reiterated the point, but never followed it to any conclusion.
The overall format of the book could be improved. It feels like it could have been summed up in half as many pages. Many topics are retread over and over without delving deeper into the "why" of what is wrong.
One of the main issues deals with testing, which is mentioned over and over. A solution is only mentioned once and fixes are briefly covered. Issues with race and poverty are alluded to, but no real depth is discussed. It dances around larger questions about education reform without asking hard questions. Corrupt politicians, rogue capitalist firms, free market pressures, which it talks about existing, and chides, but never asks why they occurred, or why they existed. I only write this because the book was so long and reiterated the point, but never followed it to any conclusion.
jonbrammer's review against another edition
4.0
Despite what you might think, Ravitch is ultimately a conservative; her arguments are tinged with nostalgia for a more formal, rigorous, idealistic type of education. Those of us who are true believers in public education also believe in the transformative power of, say, classic literature, or a understanding of the romance and awe of scientific exploration.
The battle is still underway to reclaim our schools from the supply-side marketing gurus who think that free markets and deregulation cure all of society's ills. I completely agree with Ravitch in that we have to define what it means to be an educated citizen - instead of debating this absolutely essential question, we are caught up in trying to "process" our way to better schools.
I also think that most people have a fundamental ignorance about what teachers do, or what happens in school every day. Teachers are the target of the new educational gurus because, there is no way to reduce or simplify the experience of education. I often say that the students learn just as much or more from each other than they do from their teachers - but they also learn from great authors, from their families, from their experiences. All of these combine to form an education - schools and teachers help to facilitate this learning and growth.
The battle is still underway to reclaim our schools from the supply-side marketing gurus who think that free markets and deregulation cure all of society's ills. I completely agree with Ravitch in that we have to define what it means to be an educated citizen - instead of debating this absolutely essential question, we are caught up in trying to "process" our way to better schools.
I also think that most people have a fundamental ignorance about what teachers do, or what happens in school every day. Teachers are the target of the new educational gurus because, there is no way to reduce or simplify the experience of education. I often say that the students learn just as much or more from each other than they do from their teachers - but they also learn from great authors, from their families, from their experiences. All of these combine to form an education - schools and teachers help to facilitate this learning and growth.
levelstory's review against another edition
3.0
The Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch is a book I bought after I realized I wanted to further investigate why American education is so terrible today. I have blogged a bit on the subject, trying to piece together ideas to make sense of the entirety of this issue but the truth is, I don't think there will ever be one way to solve it...or at least I don't have the background, experience, or enough knowledge to come up with a solid solution. Although this book did put a lot of issues in perspective for me. The book sat on my shelf for months until I signed up to take a course in college titled Democracy and Education. This book was on the list of required books and I couldn't wait to read it and study it in class.
Diane Ravitch, who was once a firm supporter (and a creative engineer) behind the notorious "No Child Left Behind", wrote this book because of her own enlightening experience with American education. After No Child Left Behind was passed, Ravitch watched as it took form and American education slackened. She realized that what NCLB was a flop and had to write a book stating why it was a flop and what it meant to American education.
Essentially, NCLB means exactly what it's title states - that no child should be left behind. President George W. Bush set a goal - that by 2014 all American students would be 100% proficient in subjects such as math, science, and reading. The reason NCLB was put into motion is because American students were not competing with students in other countries such as Finland and China. NCLB posed to test students in grades 5, 8, and 11 to test their understanding of reading, math, and science. These tests were multiple choice and held on special days during the school year. The results not only affected the students who took them but also the American teachers, also known as accountablity. Ravitch argues that this type of testing can not possibly measure the strength, or weakness, of a student's mind, nor can it measure a teacher's teaching ability. With NCLB in progress, children became fluent in good test taking methods instead of the actual subject matter the test was on. Teachers were judged by how well their students' test taking scores were instead of their students' actual performance in the class room.
"NCLB introduced a new definition of school reform that was applauded by Democrats and Republicans alike. In this new era, school reform was characterized as accountability, high-stakes testing, data-driven decision making, choice, charter schools, privatization, deregulation, merit pay, and competition among schools. Whatever could not be measured did not count." (pg. 21)
Of course there is a lot more to the issue than that minuscule paragraph I just typed up. Other things needs this much detail. Without it, Ravitch would not have such great credibility. Her ability to write on all sides of the educational spectrum and formally contain her ideas in a concise manner is what made the book so interesting and engaging. I trusted Ravitch as I read.
are jumbled in the melting pot such as money, tenure, politics, etc. It is a lot to take in but Ravitch handles the subject matter with grace like a butterfly. Her attention to detail and facts soars on every page. She essentially covers ever nook and cranny on the topic of American education. Some may say it is a bit much, and I must admit - it is, but every detail counts and this subject particularly
"There are just so many hours and minutes in the school day, and if more time is devoted to testing and test preparation, then less time will be available to teach subjects that will not be on the state tests. Lack of attention to history, science, and the arts detracts from the quality of education, the quality of children's lives, the quality of daily life in school, and even performance on the tests. Ironically, test prep is not always the best preparation for taking tests. Children expand their vocabulary and improve their reading skills when they learn history, science, and literature, just as they may sharpen their mathematics skills while learning science and geography. And the arts may motivate students to love learning." (pg. 108).
While the book's detail oriented style was excellent, it was also draining. Since I had to read the book for my class, I spent much of my time trying to read as many chapters a day as I could. Each chapter is a big chunk of the book and after reading two chapters in one day and starting a third, I had a hard time comprehending what the book was saying. It is a lot to take in and while I can't fault the book for facts, I have to admit it was a bit dry. There is a lot of repetition which is good but not for a light read. As a reader, you had better be aware of the time you are investing when reading this book. It is time well spent but make sure you are in the right mindset to spend it...otherwise you may come out of the experience extremely bitter.
Overall, the book was an excellent look at education but it was a lot of information being thrown at me which made the book an extremely difficult read but one I will not forget. I will give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Diane Ravitch, who was once a firm supporter (and a creative engineer) behind the notorious "No Child Left Behind", wrote this book because of her own enlightening experience with American education. After No Child Left Behind was passed, Ravitch watched as it took form and American education slackened. She realized that what NCLB was a flop and had to write a book stating why it was a flop and what it meant to American education.
Essentially, NCLB means exactly what it's title states - that no child should be left behind. President George W. Bush set a goal - that by 2014 all American students would be 100% proficient in subjects such as math, science, and reading. The reason NCLB was put into motion is because American students were not competing with students in other countries such as Finland and China. NCLB posed to test students in grades 5, 8, and 11 to test their understanding of reading, math, and science. These tests were multiple choice and held on special days during the school year. The results not only affected the students who took them but also the American teachers, also known as accountablity. Ravitch argues that this type of testing can not possibly measure the strength, or weakness, of a student's mind, nor can it measure a teacher's teaching ability. With NCLB in progress, children became fluent in good test taking methods instead of the actual subject matter the test was on. Teachers were judged by how well their students' test taking scores were instead of their students' actual performance in the class room.
"NCLB introduced a new definition of school reform that was applauded by Democrats and Republicans alike. In this new era, school reform was characterized as accountability, high-stakes testing, data-driven decision making, choice, charter schools, privatization, deregulation, merit pay, and competition among schools. Whatever could not be measured did not count." (pg. 21)
Of course there is a lot more to the issue than that minuscule paragraph I just typed up. Other things needs this much detail. Without it, Ravitch would not have such great credibility. Her ability to write on all sides of the educational spectrum and formally contain her ideas in a concise manner is what made the book so interesting and engaging. I trusted Ravitch as I read.
are jumbled in the melting pot such as money, tenure, politics, etc. It is a lot to take in but Ravitch handles the subject matter with grace like a butterfly. Her attention to detail and facts soars on every page. She essentially covers ever nook and cranny on the topic of American education. Some may say it is a bit much, and I must admit - it is, but every detail counts and this subject particularly
"There are just so many hours and minutes in the school day, and if more time is devoted to testing and test preparation, then less time will be available to teach subjects that will not be on the state tests. Lack of attention to history, science, and the arts detracts from the quality of education, the quality of children's lives, the quality of daily life in school, and even performance on the tests. Ironically, test prep is not always the best preparation for taking tests. Children expand their vocabulary and improve their reading skills when they learn history, science, and literature, just as they may sharpen their mathematics skills while learning science and geography. And the arts may motivate students to love learning." (pg. 108).
While the book's detail oriented style was excellent, it was also draining. Since I had to read the book for my class, I spent much of my time trying to read as many chapters a day as I could. Each chapter is a big chunk of the book and after reading two chapters in one day and starting a third, I had a hard time comprehending what the book was saying. It is a lot to take in and while I can't fault the book for facts, I have to admit it was a bit dry. There is a lot of repetition which is good but not for a light read. As a reader, you had better be aware of the time you are investing when reading this book. It is time well spent but make sure you are in the right mindset to spend it...otherwise you may come out of the experience extremely bitter.
Overall, the book was an excellent look at education but it was a lot of information being thrown at me which made the book an extremely difficult read but one I will not forget. I will give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
amslersf's review against another edition
4.0
I wish everyone had to read this book. Not that I agree with everything Ravitch holds dear (specifically in regards to a literary cannon or teaching history), but she so clearly articulates what is wrong with our current educational situation in America. She lays out the insanity of our testing system and the attacks on unions and teachers. In particular, I wish my mom would read this to understand why it is not simply nice that Gates gives millions of dollars to education. my mom thinks I'm just cranky. Instead Ravitch explains in the absence of real federal dollars and historical or research based knowledge, our federal and state policies have been madly following what every grant outlines Gates or Broad publishes.
annemtipton's review against another edition
5.0
Very clear description of how education has gone horribly off track and places blame where it may need to lie. Good reminder of why/what public education should be.
zilfworks's review against another edition
5.0
If you have a child in the American school system, know a child in the school system, ever were a child in the system or know anyone who was educated in America, you must read this book. Probably the most important book I've read in the last few years, in any field, and it gives an educated, official voice to many of the conclusions I've come to over the past several years of volunteering in schools. Yes, the system is very, very broken...but neither testing nor the currently in-vogue "choice" movement is going to save it. In fact, if anything, both are breaking it even further, even faster. And everything you think you know is wrong. Read this book. Our future depends on it.
epersonae's review against another edition
4.0
She closely reviews the literature around accountability testing and school choice, after describing how she came to be an advocate for those things. Curiously enough, she wrote the history curriculum for CA in the late 80s that I went to high school under. And the data doesn't follow what she had hoped for, in fact in many cases it's entirely counter-productive. If you've followed this stuff at all, then there's nothing massively surprising, but lots of interesting food for thought. (A friend of mine is a high school English teacher in Texas; I've listened to a few rants.) A good reminder that there are no simple options for improving education, altho there are lots of simple obvious ones...that happen to be wrong.
What I find curious, personally, is that she was an advocate of these ideas at all. Her background is in looking at the simplistic education fads of the past, so choice and testing ought to have sounded warning bells. A testimony to the power of peer pressure, I suppose.
What I find curious, personally, is that she was an advocate of these ideas at all. Her background is in looking at the simplistic education fads of the past, so choice and testing ought to have sounded warning bells. A testimony to the power of peer pressure, I suppose.