Mis-Education in Schools

Howard Good offers a cogent analysis of our cookie-cutter, no-child-left-untested public schools and offers a workable plan for freeing up the creative energies of administrators, parents, students and families. The goal of schools, he argues, should not be to use corporate-designed curriculum models to mass produce 'educated students.' Instead, along with the Holy Grail of 'marketable skills,' schools need to help young people develop intellectual and creative qualities that enable them to become fully realized human beings and community members. Such a goal can only be accomplished only if schools drain the bureaucratic moats with which they keep parents and the larger community at bay. -- Dr. Michael Dillon, associate professor, Duquesne University Mis-Education in Schools is an easy read. There is lots within its five chapters to nod one's head in agreement to: attacks on arbitrary and officious school administrators, sadness at the effect of ungenerous and uninspired teachers on young intellects, hypocrisy in the locker rooms as coaches demand pledges of abstinence from drinking (knowing such pledges will likely be violated), dearth of civic education for children who will inherit our vulnerable democracy, lack of public respect and financial and moral support for new teachers. Teachers College Record Howard Good writes passionately about the world of education-passionately from the perspective of a student, teacher, school board member, and dad. I am a devout reader of Howard Good's books and essays. An essay Howard published, 'Epitaph for an English Teacher' was motivating factor in my choice to run for school board in 2002. Oftentimes when I become beleaguered with the process we are engaged in as educational policymakers, I read an essay or two of Howard's, and I once again see the big picture and understand why it is critical that broad-minded, big-picture citizens must come forward and stay engaged in our public educational system. -- David A. Singer, president, Board of Education, Harrison, New York