By Richard Rothstein (Click here to view the entire P&R issue) Several commentators charge that I devote too much attention to social reform and not enough to school improvement as a strategy for equalizing outcomes between blacks and whites. Getting the balance right is difficult, but the biggest obstacle to doing so is an excessive emphasis on the role of schools. Were … [Read more...] about “Rothstein Responds” by Richard Rothstein (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
rothstein
“What Teachers Know” by Mark Simon (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
By Mark Simon (Click here to view the entire P&R issue) For teachers, the most disheartening aspect of the Administration’s “No Child Left Behind” agenda is the dishonesty in the goals and supposed success stories. No responsible educator disagrees with the stated purpose of leaving no child behind and closing the achievement gap, but we must begin with the truth. For … [Read more...] about “What Teachers Know” by Mark Simon (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
“Inequality and the Schoolhouse” by Stan Karp (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
By Stan Karp (Click here to view the entire P&R issue) Richard Rothstein asks how much schools can be expected to overcome the staggering inequality that continues to define our society. It’s the right question. Educational inequality—whose manifestations go well beyond test score gaps—is perhaps the central problem our schools face. How we deal with it will go a long … [Read more...] about “Inequality and the Schoolhouse” by Stan Karp (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
“Social Class, But What About the Schools?” by Pedro A. Noguera (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
By Pedro A. Noguera (Click here to view the entire P&R issue) Before publication of Social Class and Schools, I was a fan of Richard Rothstein’s work. As a New York Times columnist for several years, Rothstein’s commentaries on education were distinguished by his ability to bring common-sense insights to complex policy issues. In a field where policy typically is driven … [Read more...] about “Social Class, But What About the Schools?” by Pedro A. Noguera (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
“Simplistic and Condescending” by Jenice L. View (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
By Jenice L. View (Click here to view the entire P&R issue) Pity the low-income person who, by virtue of lousy wages alone, is considered an incompetent parent. Let’s patronize her who is unworthy of talking with or reading to her child or helping with homework (following a 16-hour shift or her second job) because she cannot be relied on to do it correctly. And, should … [Read more...] about “Simplistic and Condescending” by Jenice L. View (September-October 2004 P&R Issue)
