American Education

by Joel Spring

Featuring current information and challenging perspectives on the latest issues and forces shaping the American educational system--with scholarship that is often cited as a primary source--Joel Spring introduces readers to the historical, political, social, and legal foundations of education and to the profession of teaching in the United States. In his signature straightforward, concise approach to describing complex issues, he illuminates events and topics that are often overlooked or whitewashed, giving students the opportunity to engage in critical thinking about education. Students come away informed on the latest topics, issues, and data and with a strong knowledge of the forces shaping the American educational system.

Thoroughly updated throughout, the new edition of this clear, authoritative text remains fresh and up-to-date, reflecting the many changes in education that have occurred since the publication of the previous edition. Topics and issues addressed and analyzed include:

- The decline of the Common Core State Standards, particularly as result of a Republican-controlled administration currently in place
- Increasing emphasis on for-profit education, vouchers, charter schools, and free-market competition between schools, expected to surge with the appointment of the new U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
- Current debates about immigration and Dreamers--new statistics on immigrant education, discussion of education proposals to accommodate the languages, cultures, and religions of newly arrived immigrants
- New education statistics on school enrollments, dropouts, education and income, school segregation, charter schools, and home languages
- The purposes of education as presented in the 2016 platforms of the Republican, Democratic, Green, and Libertarian parties
- Discussions around transgender students

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, School, Grad School, Read For School, History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Erin]

This book was super interesting and informative! This was particularly helpful for the literature review portion of my thesis, but is also just an interesting read about the state of education. Sadly, because of the RAPID pace at which educational policy and related issues changes, this book is slightly out of date. However, between this and Dana Goldstein’s book I have a more comprehensive framework through which I can understand current education news, issues, and policy changes!

[angie]

finally finished this book for school - honestly hated the writing in this book lol but some of the content was definitely important

[N.T. McQueen]

Not entirely sure if this book is intended to inspire prospective teachers but provides a comprehensive summary of important political, social, and cultural issues related to public education in the U.S.

[Diane Villela]

This book is very informative. Raises many good questions about the teaching profession. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I felt it was more on the negative side of teaching. I know many careers has both positives and negatives, but I believe because of the situations the career has been challenged with the book has a negative tone about teaching. The writer doesn’t discourage teachers from teaching but does honestly point out challenges teachers face today. Overall I do recommend this book for any up and coming teacher as it does point out a multitude of information in just 218 pages.

[John Hill]

This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in where American public education has been, is, and is going.

This is the 18th edition of the book and Spring has done a fantastic job keeping the information relevant to the current educational and political climate. He takes into consideration both political parties stances on education during the 2016 presidential election as well as the current president's educational initiatives.

However, where this book really shines is in the look back at education and how the past has effected and determined where we are now.

[John Levasseur]

Solid Introduction and Overview of American Education

The title says it all. This text was assigned for a graduate class on the history of education. I was introduced and informed about many historical and current issues in the field of teaching and learning in the American Education system. This not a pleasure read but a very interested engaging study aid and guide to an informed understanding of the backdrop behind a teaching career in American schools.

[Meredith Starkenburg]

2.5 stars. Read this for an education class in school. A good, though surface level, summary of the history of the American education system, its flaws, and the policies put in place to fix it. Awfully pessimistic at times and not well-organized or well-written. Serves its purpose to illustrate American educational history but I would not recommend it as a means of encouraging prospective teachers due to its lack of encouragement / overall pessimism.

[Andrew Wright]

This was a consistently effective and objective history and outline of American educational policy. Until the end. Spring's final chapter was a savage and understated criticism of Human Capital theory and American consumerism and I loved it. Unlimited economic growth has no moral compass and is a Tantalus bubble that will destroy the Earth or burst trying.

[Rudy Herrera]

I read this for school. It’s kind of all over the place and doesn’t really cover the topic that it claims to be about. Wishy washy when it feels like, but stern when it wants to be. It needs more direction and better bridging between topics.

[Shea]

Great overview of the public Education system in the U.S. Would recommend to any incoming teacher - gave a lot of helpful context.

[Molly Nelson]

Some graphs and charts have discrepancies, but otherwise very valuable for a history of education in the United States.

[Laura]

3.5 The beginning half of the book is fascinating but the later chapters felt rushed and not as well written.

[Gwen]

read for society & education class

[Tiana]

There is a lot of history and context, but it's not particularly inspiring. Also felt a little lit a plug for Spring's other titles.

[JB]

Every book by Joel Spring is phenomenal but this was my first.

[Jonathan Brammer]

A good overview of many the history and issues surrounding the U.S. education system. Many of the questions Spring raises are left unanswered, reflecting the complexity of education policy and politics. What's interesting is that these questions are not raised in the public sphere very often, even when debating a national reform movement like No Child Left Behind. People rarely consider what outcomes we expect from public education - informed citizens, workers competitive in the 21st C economy, free thinkers, or none of the above?

[Maggie]

Explains the history of American education well. This book does not help you become a better teacher in the sense that, it offers little advice. However, it offers a rich history of American education which, in turn, helps teachers understand the education system in the past and present. Overall, worth the read.

[Kelli]

required reading...$65 for this little paperback...I don't think I'm going to like this book......actually I found what I read very interesting. It wasn't as boring or biased as I expected!

[Rigatoni Baloney]

Currently reading the 15th Edition of this book for my graduate class. Very current use of politics and legislative policy in the educational environment today.

[Sendy]

In my opinion, this book should be REQUIRED READING for any educator, and for any parent that has a child in a public school. Extremely honest and relevant.

[Larissa]

required reading EDA 505

[Leanna Aker]

Reviewed this book in preparation for my Ph.D. comp exams. Read it in a program a long time ago. This book has nice, concise chapters about how American Education came to be.

[Becky]

I enjoy reading about education, but not politics.

[Marisol]

An excellently concise history of educational systems in the United States.

[Sarah]

Great text. This was a text book for my EDF 475 class. Very informational-- included laws, court cases, and happenings that shaped the American Public School system. Dense language for some, but I found it to be very rich with knowledge. Depending on the edition you have, chunks of information that you would find important may be left out.