Escape to Learning: An Educator's Answer to the Public School Crisis [Paperback]

Richard Neal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2005

For many parents in many communities, the public schools are failures. This book identifies and discusses the root causes of this failure and offers specific remedies. The public schools are extremely resistant to improvements because of the powerful Education Establishment, composed of entrenched teacher unions and school educrats and pandering politicians. The book discusses all of the reasons that a monolithic and monopolistic school system cannot meet the pluralistic needs of all children through a one-size-fits-all model.The author explains why more money is not the answer, how monopoly union bargaining has damaged the schools, and how over-regulation has destroyed all hope of meaningful improvements. The author exposes the myth that teachers are overworked and underpaid, shows why it is almost impossible to fire incompetent teachers, and provides reasons why merit pay is not the answer.The author concludes that the only solution to the failing government schools is through the introduction of school choice without double taxation. This would put education back where it belongs - in the hands of parents. The author cautions, however, that any plan that keeps the government in charge of choices is doomed to fail. The transition to choice will not be easy, because it will be met with the full fury of The Education Establishment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard G. Neal has a background in public education equaled by few. He has been a classroom teacher and a counselor at the elementary, middle and high school level, as well as a teacher in adult education, community college, and graduate school. He has held a wide variety of administrative positions from assistant principal to associate superintendent. He served as a national consultant on labor relations and as chief negotiator for a number of school boards. He authored many books and articles on collective bargaining. He was a pioneer in the decentralization of school management, offering seminars to school districts throughout the nation. His book, School Based Management, is considered a basic and classic text on this topic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (April 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420838903
• ISBN-13: 978-1420838909
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,598,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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