Debating the Future of American Education: Do We Need National Standards and Assessments? (Brookings Dialogues on Public Policy) [Paperback]

Diane Ravitch (Editor), Brookings Institution Brown Center on Education Policy (Corporate Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995 | Series: Brookings Dialogues on Public Policy

This book, the result of a Brookings conference, brings together representatives of various viewpoints on the utility and equity of increasing the use of tests for students, teachers, and schools. While the idea of national standards has been widely supported, many respected educators doubt their value from fear that such standards will institutionalise the lowest common denominator. Others cite the poor performance of U.S. students on international tests and insist that the U.S. will suffer because of this poor performance. The debate becomes even more intense when the question of assessment is posed. Is it possible to develop a national examination system tied to new standards? Should such tests be used to influence entry to colleges and jobs? Would the motivation of students to learn be increased if they knew that their performance would be reviewed by colleges and employers? Is it fair to set standards for students without setting standards for schools? The contributors are Chester Finn, Jr., the Edison Project; Daniel Koretz, RAND; Andrew Porter, Wisconsin Center for Education Research; Lauren Resnick, University of Pittsburgh; Roy Romer, Governor of Colorado; Albert Shanker, American Federation of Teachers; Theodore R. Sizer, Brown University; Marshall C. Smith, U.S. Department of Education; and Donald M. Stewart, The College Board.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Brookings Inst Pr (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815773536
• ISBN-13: 978-0815773535
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,741,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)