Psychological Theory and Educational Reform: How School Remakes Mind and Society [Paperback]

David R. Olson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0521532116 | ISBN-13: 978-0521532112

David Olson offers a theoretical account of the relationship between the minds of learners and the institutional structure of the school. Why do efforts at reforming schools routinely fail? It is because schools are by and large successful in achieving their two primary responsibilities. They meet the needs of the bureaucratic society which funds them as well as the goals and beliefs of the students who attend them. In meeting the needs, however, minds and societies are altered in conspicuous and important ways that are revealed in this book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A masterpiece. Thought provoking and persuasive...Urban reformers, educational scholars, practitioners, and students will find Olson's erudite prose, rich illuminating examples, and careful organization of material compelling." Teachers College Record

"No review can fully do justice to the quality of Olson's psychological, historical, sociological, and educational echolarship and the power of the ideas contained within the pages of his volume. Although the book does not contain prescriptions or recipes for specific school changes (nor is it meant to), anyone serious about school reform (or the reform of any institution) should carefully read and consider this book." Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

"David Olson's Psychological Theory and Educational Reform is a masterpiece." Teachers College Record

Book Description

Why do efforts at reforming schools routinely fail? It is because schools are by and large succesful in achieving their two primary responsibilities, that of meeting the needs of the bureacratic society which funds them and the intentional goals and beliefs of the students who attend them. But in meeting them, both minds and societies are altered in conspicuous and important ways that this books sets out. This book offers a theoretical account of the relation between the minds of learners and the institutional structure of the school that would account both for the ways that schooling remakes minds and societites and why such institutions are resistant to change.

Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521532116
• ISBN-13: 978-0521532112
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,004,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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