The Transformation of the School: Progressivism in American Education, 1876-1957

by Lawrence Arthur Cremin

Daily Shipping-1964 Paper Cover-Pages contain underling, highlighting and margin notes-Moderate shelf and use wear-pages are tanning

Genres: Education, History, Nonfiction, School

387 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Lawrence Arthur "Larry" Cremin was an educational historian and administrator. He received his B.A. and M.A. from City College of New York and earned his Ph.D. is from Columbia University in 1949. He began teaching at the Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City.

Reviews

[Jason Anger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best history I've read on any topic as well as one of the most illuminating accounts of what has, since the progressive era, become philosophical bedrock of American education. Though over 50 years old, I don't know if there's a single other book I'd recommend more if you're interested in finding out what that philosophy entails. Brilliant.

[Michael- Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and thoroughly researched account of the progressive education movement. It concentrates on the intellectual, philosophical background that shaped the movement. The author also gives a time span of the birth to death of the movement from the turn of the 20th century to the 1950s which is surprising given that the Progressive Era was all but dead by 1919. He also does the best in my opinion of explaining John Dewey's educational philosophy and its impact on progressive education.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive history of progressive education from 1876-1957. Thorough and fascinating. Focuses on how progressive education developed, its definitions, influences on schools, and its seeming demise in the 1940s and 1950s.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all. Published in 1961, it's a 354 page history of the transformation of American schools from 1876 to 1957 (aka: the rise and collapse of progressivism in American education during that period).

If you have a deep interest in education philosophy, policy, methods, etc, then you'll enjoy it. If not, you'll fall asleep by page 3. For the former group, I believe the book strikes just the right balance between a high level education philosophy discussion (Hegel, Rousseau, Dewey, Mann, etc) versus specific descriptions of what "committee", chaired by who, did what, the title of its "report", and what "experimental" school was started, when, its goals and principles, and its results.

If you changed the names and dates, much of the book could have been written last week and covered the period 1957-2008. Most of the concepts and much of the terminology hasn't changed.

For the most part, I came away thinking, "there is nothing new under the sun".

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two words for this book: DRY and DENSE. I was actually relieved when I finally finished it. At the same time I found it quite impressive. Cremin knows literally every last detail about Progressives and the Progressive Education Movement, hence the three star rating. Don't read it unless you are really, REALLY interested in education in the United States. It is a must among the educational academic-y types.

[Sean]

wow. buried in early 60s academic outlook, but great overview of a fascinating bit of ed history.

[Terrence Crimmins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential reading to anyone who really wants to understand the struggles, tragedies and triumphs in the history of Progressive education.