Review
"
The Quiet Crisis presents an urgent plea for reform in America's higher education systems from an experienced educator who understands what learning is about and its importance to our democracy."
—Leon E. Panetta, Director, The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
"Peter Smith's The Quiet Crisis takes on a daunting task—convincing America that its cherished higher education system, the envy of the world, is flawed. It would seem a fool's errand if it were not for the clear and compelling case that he puts forward, his extensive experience as an academic and as a policymaker, and the urgency of reshaping the system of higher education to meet the enormous—and growing—expectations that society has thrust upon it."
—Frank Newman, Visiting Professor of Public Policy, Center for Public Policy & American Institutions, Brown University
"By writing in such a refreshing personal and passionate way about the connection between teaching and the survival of the American dream, Peter has given the national discussion about the reform of teaching a shot of maral urgency."
—Russell Edgerton, Director, The Pew Forum on Undergraduate Learning
"This book offers a critique of the current state of affairs in higher education and a vision for the future by an individual uniquely qualified to make such judgments."
—Arthur E. Levine, President, Teachers College, Columbia University
"Peter Smith's new book has important lessons for everyone interested in American higher education."
—Tom Ehrlich, Senior Scholar, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
"Peter Smith uses his personal, professional, and political experiences to describe how higher education is failing America. We need to have a national conversation about his message."
—Ted Sanders, President, Education Commission of the States
From the Inside Flap
Behind America's "success data" in higher education looms a significant problem of educational failure defined, not by individual capacity, but largely by race and economic level, as well as learning style. As a result, millions of people of all incomes and races fail to thrive in our institutions, not because they lack the capacity to learn, but because colleges and universities lack the capacity to educate.
In this groundbreaking work, Peter Smith exposes this hidden crisis in American higher education and makes recommendations for its transformation. He argues, clearly and forcefully, that our schools are organized for failure and that our historic "industrial model" simply won't make the grade in the 21st century.
Drawing on the author's personal experiences as a policymaker and administrator in higher education over the last 30 years, this book will appeal not only to teaching faculty and academic administrators, but also to political leaders, parents, and anyone who cares about the future of the academy.
Contents include:
Part One: The Quiet Crisis
- The Opportunity Promise
- Universities as Learning Organizations
- Breaking the Model: From Storied Tradition to Valued Position.
Part Two: The Emergence of a New Learning Ethos
- Lived Experience: The Root of Learning
- Personal Learning, Reflection, and Growth
- Diversity: The Tie That Binds
- From Wishes to Wireless.
Part Three: FutureThink
- A New Mainstream
- Quality in the Learning Age
- A Policy Framework for the 21st Century
