Popular Education and its Discontents

by Lawrence Arthur Cremin

Discusses the issues that will influence the development of educational policies for the 1990s

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Rebekah Sturgill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is described as a coda to Cremin's trilogy on American education, which might explain some of the things I found lacking here. It seems he comes to the conclusion that context is necessary for determining what education is appropriate, but ends by saying we need more funds and more research to make education better. If context is what is most important, shouldn't the local schools determine what education they will provide rather than mandating curriculum federally?

It feels similar to many other pleas for public education I've read that feel as though they come down to "This is a great ideal, please just give us more money and we can fix it!" without saying how this ideal can be achieved or if it should be at all.