A Parent's Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century: Navigating Education Reform to Get the Best Education for My Child

by Russ Walsh

What is a parent to make of the current narrative about public education in the United States? We hear that our public schools are mediocre at best and dysfunctional and unsafe at worst. We hear politicians and pundits arguing that the country will fall behind economic competitors like China and Japan, if our schools do not improve. We hear education reformers, well-funded by corporate lions like Bill Gates and the Walton family, suggesting a smorgasbord of solutions from school choice to more rigorous standards and from increased standardized tests to test-based teacher accountability.
What is education reform and how will it impact schools, children and parents? What are charter schools and should I send my child to one? What is the impact of standardized testing on my child? Should I opt my child out of standardized testing? How can I make sure my child gets a good teacher? What does good reading and writing instruction look like? How should technology be used in the schools and at home?
A Parent’s Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century is written to answer these questions and help today’s parents sort through the weeds of educational reform to make informed decisions designed to get the best possible education for their children. The book starts from the point of view that public education is a vital institution, central to our democracy and economic independence, and then suggests ways that parents can not only get the best of education for their own children, but also support policies that will make the institution of public education stronger for future generations

Genres: Education, Parenting

245 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2016

Reviews

[Julie Borst · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of books on education out there, but for parents this is probably the most accessible and well thought out books on what is happening in public education right now.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Goodreads for an honest review.... This book is a great tool for today's parents to make the best decisions on their children's education, which is a must for future generations. The chapter schools section was a awesome learning tool for me since this an issue which I never had in my school days. Also testing, reading, good teachers, and so much more important information that is needed for our children education I am handing this book to another parent . .....I highly recommend this book for every parent and grandparent.