American Education with Powerweb (Hardcover)

~ Joel Spring (Author) "Why do we have public schools?..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, United States, Supreme Court (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This work introduces students to the historical, political, social and legal foundations of education and to the profession of teaching. The text is designed to challenge students to analyze and to ask questions about the role of schooling in American society. It can be used either as a core text or as part of a larger teaching package. This edition features several new chapters. "Multicultural Education" contrasts the educational problems facing immigrants against those of dominated cultures such as Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans. Possible solutions are discussed, including ethnocentric education, issues of language, bicultural education and multicultural education. A new Chapter Five examines issues involving segregation and second-generation segregation and now includes, in addition to African Americans, a discussion of Native Americans, Mexican Americans and students with special needs. A new Chapter Four includes information on the interconnection between education, the new labour market and the global economy. Chapter Two now contains a discussion of teachers as researchers, the working conditions of teachers and teacher burnout. Also, Chapter Ten contains new sections on national standards for teachers and on critical pedagogy. Many new sections dealing with current restructuring efforts have been added to this edition, such as: charter schools, the educational bureaucracy, the politics of state education and the nationalization of state policies. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Joel Spring, professor of education at the New School University, received his Ph.D. in educational policy studies from the University of Wisconsin. His father was born a citizen of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory prior to the abolishment of the Choctaw government and the creation of Oklahoma. Professor Spring’s current interest in Native American culture and history is a reflection of his Indian background. His major research interests are the history of education, multicultural education, Native American culture, and the politics of education. Professor Spring is the author of many books including The Cultural Transformation of a Native American Family and Its Tribe 1763-1995: A Basket of Apples; Images of American Life: A History of Ideological Management in Schools, Movies, Radio, and Television; and Political Agendas for Education: From the Christian Coalition to the Green Party. For McGraw-Hill Professor Spring has authored American Education; Wheels in the Head: Educational Philosophies of Authority, Freedom, and Culture from Socrates to Human Rights; The Intersection of Cultures: Multicultural Education in the United States and the Global Economy; Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality: A Brief History of the Education of Dominated Cultures in the United States, and Conflict of Interests: The Politics of American Education. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: San Val (June 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417687266
• ISBN-13: 978-1417687268
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,062,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Left-Leaning Primer on U.S. Educational Issues, July 16, 2006

By	David P. Russo (Durham, NC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Education (Paperback)

This work is a usable primer for political and social issues surrounding the contemporary U.S. educational system as well as providing some background history, but is marred by mediocre composition (and editing) and some leftist bias. It also provides a general introduction to the history of minority groups in U.S. education. Should be taken with a grain of salt, but a reasonable starting-off point.

Spring evinces strong opinions regarding centralized testing, and various other subjects. While certainly non-objective in multiple aspects his analysis of various themes--including testing--is nonetheless worthwhile in reminding us of the potential dangers to freedom that can arise in test-centered educational systems. In terms of flaws, Spring often makes references with less-than clear context and makes statements without evidence (e.g. publishing a 10-item list of faults with the No Child Left Behind Act by an anti-NCLB that is exaggerated and with no evidence given). Non-U.S. students may have difficulty understanding various aspects of U.S. educational history without referencing outside sources.

Spring's website can be found on McGraw-Hill here, so can evaluate/sample his writings and thought further:
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Intro Text to History/Thought of Amer. Education, July 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: American Education (Paperback)

I needed to get this textbook for a graduate level course on Social Issues in American Education. I think it is a wonderful introductory text to the history of education, as well as many of the schools and philosophies of thought that debate continually in American Education today. Many topics are covered that you hear about in the news and other media. Reviewing the facts on these issues (as Spring presents them terrifically) - will help you make your own decisions regarding these important issues. The text is very much a history text, and many of my colleagues had a difficulty reading through it. Many of them read the book like a textbook, and not as something that they could enjoy and actually get valuable information. Spring does a terrific job of displaying the facts of history and development of issues, and then explaining them to the fullest potential. I was fuzzy on a few educational issues, but Spring's clarity helped me understand them more completely. This book might also serve as a reference for one to go back to when an educational issue arises. Spring is continually amending the book through newer editions, so it is possible that one could use this book as a reference until the newer edition comes along. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a teacher or thinking about going into the education profession - or anyone who is more interested in the American Schools. As a teacher, I found it very informative, and the history and statistics, overall interesting. If you aren't into the summary and digestion of statistics, this book might not be for you. I enjoyed it thoroughly however.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent analysis of the US education system, May 14, 2008

By	diana Mackin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Education (Paperback)

This book is a private college text, shared with the whole family, in addition to its use in the classroom. With the exception of some odd attributions to working class people (who are said to "act powerless" and view attempts at negotiations by children as 'sassing' or 'talking back'), possibly a misinterpretation of Annette Lareau's words, this working class family has enjoyed the book tremendously. The book offers the depth of insight necessary to anyone who teaches now or is planning on going into teaching.