Why Schools Matter: A Cross-National Comparison of Curriculum and Learning [Hardcover]

William H. Schmidt (Author), Curtis C. McKnight (Author), Richard T. Houang (Author), HsingChi Wang (Author), David Wiley (Author), Leland S. Cogan (Author), Richard G. Wolfe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787956848 | ISBN-13: 978-0787956844 | Publication Date: September 20, 2001 | Edition: 1

Schools do matter. There is a direct correlation between what schools teach, and what students learn and achieve. With this important study you'll explore the curriculum-learning connection, and the prospects for improving educational outcomes for all kids.

Why Schools Matter emerged from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)--the largest ongoing educational research effort. TIMSS results have been widely reported in the popular press to underline how far the U.S. lags behind other Western countries in math and science achievement. This important study is the first comprehensive analysis of curriculum for teachers, school and district administrators, directors of curriculum, and educational policy makers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above." (CHOICE, 5/02)

Review

"An outstanding contribution to the debate over education reform in America.... No doubt about it: Bill Schmidt's book has helped clarify my own thinking about education and will remain within arm's reach of my desk." —Michigan Governor John Engler

"Schmidt and his colleagues mine the immensely rich data that is emerging from TIMSS to separate the myths from the facts, showing not only that schools do make a difference, but telling you in plain language just what makes a difference, TIMSS has become an extraordinary mirror which, held up to the American education experience, is more revealing than I have ever encountered. Schmidt has made himself master of that mirror!" —Marc Tucker, president, National Center on Education and the Economy

"It is my belief that this is one of the most relevant reports to the nation on the roots of our failed educational reform efforts." —Leon M. Lederman, Nobel Laureate in physics, Pritzker Professor of Science, Illinois Institute of Technology, and director emeritus, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

"No school reformer should offer an opinion until they have digested the findings of this ground-breaking study of international curriculum practices." —Diane Ravitch, holder of the Brown Chair in Education Studies at the Brookings Institution

"The path to improving student performance is a lot clearer because of this remarkable book.... Make no mistake— all of us who care about the educational well-being of our children in a shrinking world should read this book." —Milton Goldberg, executive vice president, National Alliance of Business

"Shows the central role of curriculum and tracking in determining what students here get to learn, and why students in so many countries learn more." —Martin Carnoy, professor of education and economics, Stanford University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787956848
• ISBN-13: 978-0787956844
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,055,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)