Schools for a New Century: A Conservative Approach to Radical School Reform

(Hardback)

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This book presents optimistic alternatives to the current educational reform movement, which has not produced substantial improvement. Dwight W. Allen advocates structural reform of education in virtually every aspect--organization, staff, curriculum, and political accountability. His central proposal is for the establishment of a national system of experimental schools, well-funded for research, experimentation, evaluation, and demonstration, but with realistic operating expenses. The biggest obstacle to reform is the lack of confidence in those who might establish, coordinate, and implement it. The establishment of an extensive, coordinated national experimental school system with voluntary participation by all those involved would provide a relatively nonthreatening environment in which to try new alternatives in all aspects of public education. The first requirement is a new vision of education--one that has the capacity for quick implementation of new curricular and instructional programs. Allen advocates the creation of a well-designed national curriculum which would enhance local control of schools. With a portion of the curriculum standardized, local school districts and teachers would have the time and resources to develop local curriculum options.

Reviews

Current views of educational reform and restructuring often resort to highly critical attacks on public schools. Allen (Old Dominion University), however, directs his energy into a hopeful, positive, and diagnostic proposal for the future of America's schools. The author provides an informative review of well-known, though not particularly successful, attempts to improve the effectiveness of American education (back to the basics, the whole child, differentiated staffing, magnet schools, and others). The strength of this book is Allen's logical and thoughtful presentation of a nationally sponsored experimental school network. The concept is sequentially developed through careful analysis of contemporary issues relating to school reform (curriculum, technology, teacher education, community involvement, and others). Upper-level undergraduates of teacher education should find this book to be an excellent source for study and debate. Reader friendly with a substantial and current bibliography.-Choice
"Current views of educational reform and restructuring often resort to highly critical attacks on public schools. Allen (Old Dominion University), however, directs his energy into a hopeful, positive, and diagnostic proposal for the future of America's schools. The author provides an informative review of well-known, though not particularly successful, attempts to improve the effectiveness of American education (back to the basics, the whole child, differentiated staffing, magnet schools, and others). The strength of this book is Allen's logical and thoughtful presentation of a nationally sponsored experimental school network. The concept is sequentially developed through careful analysis of contemporary issues relating to school reform (curriculum, technology, teacher education, community involvement, and others). Upper-level undergraduates of teacher education should find this book to be an excellent source for study and debate. Reader friendly with a substantial and current bibliography."-Choice

Author Bio

DWIGHT W. ALLEN is Eminent Professor of Educational Reform at Old Dominion University. In 1990 he served as a technical Advisor to Unesco's Primary Teacher Education Project in Malawi, Africa, and previously was Dean of Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Among his many publications are Teachers Handbook, Microteaching, and The Computer in American Education.