Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing American Schools Back to Reality

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Real Education: Four Simple Truths for Bringing American Schools Back to Reality

by Charles Murray

3.82 · rating details · 139 ratings · 52 reviews

With four simple truths as his framework, Charles Murray, the bestselling coauthor of The Bell Curve, sweeps away the hypocrisy, wishful thinking, and upside-down priorities that grip America’s educational establishment.

Ability varies. Children differ in their ability to learn academic material. Doing our best for every child requires, above all else, that we embrace that...moreWith four simple truths as his framework, Charles Murray, the bestselling coauthor of The Bell Curve, sweeps away the hypocrisy, wishful thinking, and upside-down priorities that grip America’s educational establishment.

Ability varies. Children differ in their ability to learn academic material. Doing our best for every child requires, above all else, that we embrace that simplest of truths. America’s educational system does its best to ignore it.

Half of the children are below average. Many children cannot learn more than rudimentary reading and math. Real Education reviews what we know about the limits of what schools can do and the results of four decades of policies that require schools to divert huge resources to unattainable goals.

Too many people are going to college. Almost everyone should get training beyond high school, but the number of students who want, need, or can profit from four years of residential education at the college level is a fraction of the number of young people who are struggling to get a degree. We have set up a standard known as the BA, stripped it of its traditional content, and made it an artificial job qualification. Then we stigmatize everyone who doesn’t get one. For most of America’s young people, today’s college system is a punishing anachronism.

America’s future depends on how we educate the academically gifted. An elite already runs the country, whether we like it or not. Since everything we watch, hear, and read is produced by that elite, and since every business and government department is run by that elite, it is time to start thinking about the kind of education needed by the young people who will run the country. The task is not to give them more advanced technical training, but to give them an education that will make them into wiser adults; not to pamper them, but to hold their feet to the fire.

The good news is that change is not only possible but already happening. Real Education describes the technological and economic trends that are creating options for parents who want the right education for their children, teachers who want to be free to teach again, and young people who want to find something they love doing and learn how to do it well. These are the people for whom Real Education was written. It is they, not the politicians or the educational establishment, who will bring American schools back to reality.

Twenty-four years ago, Charles Murray’s Losing Ground changed the way the nation thought about welfare. Real Education is about to do the same thing for America’s schools.

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Hardcover, 256 pages

Published August 19th 2008 by Crown Forum

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Sep 21, 2008

Vincent rated it

Shelves: current

I was in the bookstore on Saturday, saw that Charles Murray had put out a new book, and said, "Dammit," because I knew I HAD to read it and therefore shell out $25 for it.

He discusses four truths of contemporary American education. I think his first two truths (ability varies; half of all children are below average) are undebatable. Few would disagree with his fourth truth (America's future depends on the education of the academically gifted) on its face, but they might disag...more

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Jan 11, 2011

Tom X. Tobin rated it

Real Education starts off solid; Murray points us in the direction of some much-needed realism with regards to the American educational system. We are indeed absolutely wasting our time by expecting that every child has the same innate capacity for academic achievement, or that expecting that every child (or even most children) will benefit from a liberal arts college education.

Where the book falls off the rails is in Chapter 4, where Murray expounds on what he believes the gifted should be lea...more

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Mar 18, 2009

Haruko rated it

This book has been an eye opener and a good place to start in thinking about the direction I would like to take for my children's education.

This book has introduced me to the pervasive "ideas based" education behind the current public school education. He makes the case that this type of education does not foster critical thinking as expected or improve reading comprehension. He advocates for content based education such as the Core Knowledge curriculum by E.D. Hirsch. H...more

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Jun 29, 2011

Vicki rated it

Great overview of the "hypocrisy, wishful thinking, and upside-down priorities" in America's educational establishment. The book posits that children differ in their abilities to learn academic material, a fact acknowledged and accepted by teachers and parents in all of Gardner's "multiple intelligences" except for verbal-linguistic and mathematical-logical intelligence, which Murray asserts is worse than absurd - it is humiliating to students who simply have low ability in t...more

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May 21, 2011

Bojan Tunguz rated it

· review of another edition

Charles Murray is one of the best known researchers and writers on various public policy topics. He is oftentimes maligned due to the fact that many of his positions and arguments fly in the face of the popular wisdom and challenge some of our most cherished prejudices. In the case of education, those prejudices have been the source of countless "reforms" that have had very little, if any, impact on the actual achievements of students they were meant to help. The latest one of those at...moreCharles Murray is one of the best known researchers and writers on various public policy topics. He is oftentimes maligned due to the fact that many of his positions and arguments fly in the face of the popular wisdom and challenge some of our most cherished prejudices. In the case of education, those prejudices have been the source of countless "reforms" that have had very little, if any, impact on the actual achievements of students they were meant to help. The latest one of those attempts, the No Child Left Behind act (NCLB) was the immediate inspiration of a series of articles that Charles Murray wrote for the Wall Street Journal. Those articles have been expanded and turned into this book. Because of politically sensitive nature of the topic, Murray is banding backwards to try to make his assumption as uncontroversial as possible and avoid for the most part the minefields of race, class and gender. The four assumptions that he bases all of his arguments are the following:

1. Ability varies.
2. Half of the children are below average.
3. Too many people are going to college.
4. America's future depends on how we educate the academically gifted.

The veracity of some of these assumptions can hardly be questioned - the second one is just a tautology. However, most people don't look education or their intellectual ability rationally, so it is worthwhile emphasizing the obvious. On the other hand the last two assumptions are very politically unpopular, and Murray expends considerable amount of space in backing them up and presenting the best possible arguments in their favor.

Unfortunately, I am not too optimistic that this book will have much of an impact on people who really need to make hard political choices. The real hope for change lays elsewhere - in an increasing number of technological and social developments that will create new pressures on the traditional educational system. The advent of the internet and the growing amount of resources for learning outside of the established educational venues will create an incentive for more flexible and diverse educational experience. The globalization of work will create pressures on schools and colleges to become more open to changes that will bring them in line with reality. In a meanwhile, we have to be grateful that there are people out there like Charles Murray who are willing to write so clearly and persuasively about these issues.

This is also probably Charles Murray's most accessible book so far. It is written in a conversational/polemic style with no footnotes, graphs, or tables. It is a very straightforward read and could be finished in a single sitting. Overall, there is so much going for this book that I really hope it will be read by a very wide audience. (less)

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Apr 10, 2010

Mattmiller rated it

An interesting analysis of the American system of education. Murray is not a big fan of No Child Left Behind. This got him thinking about how he would change public policy when it comes to education. In this book he states what he believes are four truths that could help us stop being educational romantics and start fixing the system.

1. Kids have differing ability (we can't make all kids genuine A students). 2. Half of our kids are below average when it come to their mathematical and l...more

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Nov 15, 2010

Michael rated it

Shelves: current-issues

I can't decide whether to be dismayed or pleased about Mr. Murray's opinions on education. On the one hand, I agree with almost everything he says in the book, and it is always a bit of a relief to stumble upon like-minded people. That being said, it was a bit discouraging to find that most of my thoughts on this subject are already included in a concise, well-written book. (I was never naive enough to believe that I had any truly unique thoughts, but I thought that perhaps they might be spre...more

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Jul 26, 2011

Ronald added it

I finished this short (168 pages) but powerful book (today) the day before most kids return to public school for the start of a new year. Once you've read it, you can then ignore 99% of the newspaper headlines about school reforms, testing, etc. Murray quickly rips the band-aid off in exposing the wishful and sloppy thinking out there on the topic of K-12 and college education. Titles of his chapters include "Ability Varies", "Half the Children Are Below Average", and "T...more

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Jan 28, 2011

Seth rated it

Murray has not cowered since his inflammatory IQ arguments in the mid 90's. Here, Murray argues that educational romantics are harming the least academically gifted children and the most academically gifted ones by ignoring inherent abilities. He cleverly uses Multiple Intelligence theory to argue that we must face inherent capacity no matter what natural aptitudes a child may have. He focuses on three of the seven general types of intelligence: spatial, logical, and verbal. These are the ac...more

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Jan 28, 2010

Skylar Burris rated it

Shelves: sociology, education

This book injects some much needed realism into the never-ceasing education debate. Charles Murray insists we must first dispense with “educational romanticism” before we can better serve students of all academic abilities. Full review here.

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Jun 11, 2010

Lynn rated it

Charles Murray wrote a few articles in the Wall Street Journal and expanded them into this book. The most memorable statement from both the articles and the book was that 50% of students are below average in educational ability. People took offense to this statement, not because he assumed students fall on a normal curve and he may have misused the term “average”, but because it offended their educational romanticism. If 50% of children are below average in educational attainment, 50% of chil...more

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Apr 26, 2011

Erin rated it

· review of another edition

Charles Murray has echoed many of my same thoughts on our education system.... we need to make some serious changes in our school systems in what is covered and stop the politically correct nonsense which strips our children of their culture and basic knowledge. I thought that Mr Murray left out however the most compelling reason why kids are told that college is the right choice...because college has become big business. The government makes billions in interest charges off of school loans as d...more

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Jan 12, 2009

Brian Ayres rated it

Shelves: currentevents

Known most for co-authoring the controversial The Bell Curve, in the 1990s, Charles Murray has produced what I hope will be a less-controversial look at the state of America's educational system. Using Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory as a platform, Murray argues for a more stringent focus on helping the academically (i.e, linguistic, mathematical and logical) gifted students thrive while providing those uninterested in a liberal education the means to pursue career interests that ...more

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Mar 17, 2009

Haruko rated it

This book has been an eye opener and a good place to start in thinking about the direction I would like to take for my children's education.

One of the four truths he lays out is that America's future depends on how the academically gifted are educated. He says the gifted need to be wise. They need to have rigor in verbal expression, rigor in thinking about virtue and rigor in the good and forming judgements. He also says that a true sense of humility is needed.

I can...more

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Aug 22, 2010

Brenda (Lansdowne) rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What's wrong with our educational system?

Mr. Murray addresses the problems from K-12 and beyond.

He has coined a phrase, educational romanticism, which he describes as our idealized image of the potential that a child brings to the classroom, and the idealized notion that any child can be whatever they want to be. (page 11-12)

He strongly disagrees with this idealized (romanticized) version of education and compares it to the popular children's story, "The...more

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Sep 17, 2010

Nancy (NE) rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: education

I applaud so much of what Charles Murray has to say about the current education system in the United States. He doesn't hold back criticism and offers concrete ideas. He is grounded and not romantic about the problems faced by students, parents and teachers.

He has four main suppositions:
1.) Ability varies. He discusses Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences in a realistic manner. This doesn't mean that because everyone is good at something, that teachers can use that somet...moreI applaud so much of what Charles Murray has to say about the current education system in the United States. He doesn't hold back criticism and offers concrete ideas. He is grounded and not romantic about the problems faced by students, parents and teachers.

He has four main suppositions:
1.) Ability varies. He discusses Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences in a realistic manner. This doesn't mean that because everyone is good at something, that teachers can use that something to make up for deficits.

2.) Half of the children are below average. Statistically this is inescapable. He addresses the realities of No Child Left Behind. I appreciate his documentation of research into the capacity of schools to change underlying academic ability. I appreciate his honesty in saying that, "Family background is far and away the most important factor in determining student achievement."

3.) Too many people are going to college. He brings up several issues. We don't value the process of acquiring practical and vocational education. The core of a liberal arts education should be completed by high school. Colleges are becoming obsolete in that the four years are seldom the best way to acquire the specialized knowledge. In an effort to open up college education to more students, the course requirements and tests are no longer intellectually appropriate thus diminishing the value of the degree.

4.) America's future depends on how we educate the gifted. "Specifying academic giftedness puts the logical- mathematical ability and linguistic ability on a pedestal, and it is not at all clear that these are the crucial abilities for leadership. What we need is leaders with more integrity, prudence, self-discipline and moral courage, not smarter ones." So how do we best educate those that will be our leaders? Murray has lots of suggestions - Read the book!

My only area of disagreement is the idea of school choice. I haven't made up my mind whether the long term effect of options will ultimately undermine public education and what happens to those in poverty, or if it will force everyone to clean up their act in the classrooms and in administration. Would privatized power of choice help or hinder? My jury is still out. Murray makes some good arguments!!

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Oct 12, 2008

Carmie rated it

I really enjoy reading about all aspects of education. So, a book like this totally appeals to me. This is a short tome which touches on a variety of topics like the theory of multiple intelligences and the modern university abandoning solid liberal education as a core curriculum. In short, Murray thinks that our educational system is broken because we refuse to believe that 1. ability varies 2. half of the children are below average and there are limits to what can be done. Many children can...moreI really enjoy reading about all aspects of education. So, a book like this totally appeals to me. This is a short tome which touches on a variety of topics like the theory of multiple intelligences and the modern university abandoning solid liberal education as a core curriculum. In short, Murray thinks that our educational system is broken because we refuse to believe that 1. ability varies 2. half of the children are below average and there are limits to what can be done. Many children cannot learn beyond basic and rudimentary reading and math. 3. Too many people are going to college and 4. America's future depends on how we educate the academically gifted. Murray addresses all these things. He's honest in his critique of standardized testing. There's so much more to learn than how to take standardized tests well and sometimes a school has no choice but to leave a student behind. It's tough to read that half of the children are below average academically, but the flip side to that sad statement is that there are multiple intelligences like musical ability or interpersonal skills that can make up for academic deficiencies. Murray suggests that some below average children's scores can be improved, but only modestly and it's nothing but educational romanticism that makes us believe that everyone can have the same academic gifts.

My favorite part of the book actually addresses the shortcomings in a modern university education. "I cannot predict how long it will take, but the greatest work must ultimately come back into scholarly fashion." What he's talking about is the importance of a foundational solid liberal education giving students the best of civilization- Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare, etc. except that there's too much distrust of a Canon usually comprised of "Dead White Males". At this point, it's not PC to put this curriculum back in its place as a foundation to other academic pursuits.
He sees the need for academically gifted college students to challenge themselves and not get by with easy coursework. Students need a curriculum built that helps them systematically study the meaning life and there's plenty to keep them busy. "...the stuff of a liberal education is truly wonderful. At scattered moments and places in the course of human history, Homo sapiens has created works that speak to the human condition with depth and insight that place them qualitatively apart."

I believe this book was meant to be simply an overview of the problems facing education today from kindergarten to
college. He touches on so many things that this will lead you to read more whether it be on the theory of multiple intelligences, standardized testing, the debate on liberal education within college core requirements, or whether you agree that too many kids are attending college today instead of finding other avenues of learning something really well. It's a lot of food for thought packed into less than two hundred pages. (less)

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Dec 05, 2010

Sally rated it

Shelves: non-fiction

This was an excellent book. The author addresses the fact that for everyone who is above average, there is another person who is below it, and no matter how much money we pour into our educational system, we cannot make everybody an "A" student without lowering the standard. The chapter "Too Many People Are Going to College" is definitely eye-opening. I highly recommend this book!

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Dec 24, 2009

Douglas Wilson rated it

Very good. Murray assumes that liberal arts education has a more sanctifying effect than it actually does, but the main thrust of his argumentation here is unanswerable -- and I have a hard time imagining why anybody would want to answer it. He applies common sense by the realistic bucketful to questions like student ability, college placement. Every educator should read this book.

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Mar 18, 2009

Cate rated it

Shelves: school, history-politics

Very illuminating.

I agree with his premise. However, you have to wade through a bunch of statistical analysis to understand his reasoning. Just when you think you can't take anymore of it, though, up pops Murray's incredible wit and entertaining real-life examples.

A must-read for educators, in my opinion.

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Jan 12, 2009

Catherine rated it

I loved this book. I know that he authored the Bell Curve and all that. I think that he is spot on with his four simple truths: ability varies, half of the children are below average, too many people are going to college and America's future depends on how we educate the academically gifted. I would love to be involved in an educational system that realistically addressed these issues.

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Dec 17, 2008

Joe is currently reading it

An interesting book... not sure what I think/believe about some of it.
It brings up some things I have thought, but rarely voiced. It brings up some "Facts" that I am not sure are all that factual, but have me wondering.

I will let you know what I think when I am done.

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Mar 05, 2011

Rae rated it

Shelves: social-current-affairs

Murray's four truths are that our abilities vary, half of us are below average, too many of us go to college, and we need to educate the academically gifted in a better/different way. I agree with almost all of his ideas and was delighted to discover this book. Very provocative reading.

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Dec 28, 2008

Siri rated it

Great insight into problem with our educational system. The author is somewhat provocative in trying to propose new thinking about education in the US. I am on a new journey now to understand the educational system better.

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Feb 21, 2010

Gian Fiero rated it

I'm a college professor and I commend Mr. Murray on his insightful analysis, and I applaud his lucid assessment of the problems that plague our schools on all levels. What I was particularly impressed with was the candor and courage he used in presenting his case for academically challenged students to attend trade schools instead of conventional colleges. It's not a popular notion, but it makes sense financially and intellectually. As he states, the value of a BA is overrated. It's the responsi...more

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Jun 26, 2010

Ruth Ann is currently reading it

Shelves: prof, parenting, education

4 Truths: 1) Ability varies 2) Half of the children are below average 3) Too many people are going to college 4) America's future depends on how we educate the academically gifted

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Feb 21, 2010

Leah Macvie rated it

This was the first book to really get me thinking about what our students really need. It sparked a passion. Great book, separated into 4 main sections, and backed by data and facts.

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Feb 21, 2010

Maria rated it

Interesting thoughts on education. I do agree that we're doing a lot of things wrong and could use an overhaul. Education is so political, though- doubtful real reform will ever happen.

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Jan 31, 2009

Psfwilson added it

A great book about why education sucks in this country, or more accurately, that it's not so much bad teachers as bad students. And these students should not be going to college.

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Oct 12, 2009

Adam rated it

· review of another edition

Charles Shaw makes 4 assertions:

1. Ability varies
2. Half of the children are below average
3. Too many people are going to college
4. America’s future depends on how we educate the academically gifted

I found #3 the most interesting, and completely agree with Murray. I won't spoil anything here, but the book is very thought-provoking and filled with back-to-reality common sense that has gone missing in an age of educational romanticism.

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