Winning Brain Race-Rev Ed [Paperback]

David T. Kearns (Author), Denis P. Doyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991

With a six-point program for reform which includes allowing students to choose the schools they wish to attend, opening schools year round, abolishing traditional grading structures, and raising academic standards for graduation, this important book offers ". . . a radical agenda, a perestroika for American schools."--Lamar Alexander, Secretary of Education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: ICS Press; Rev Upd Su edition (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558151664
• ISBN-13: 978-1558151666
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,549,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2.0 out of 5 stars How to Come in Last in Racing Brains, February 4, 2012

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Bradley P. Hayton - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Winning Brain Race-Rev Ed (Paperback)

The authors of Winning the Brain Race don't change the "big government, lots of money, and total coercion" tune much. Their six point plan consists of "choice" for parents, restructuring our schools from the bottom up, professionalism in teaching, standards for academic achievement, values of democracy and citizenship in a core curriculum, and an increased Federal role in research. Their rhetoric is the same as Finn's Take Charge: "We can improve our schools by deliberate government action. We can hire better teachers, we can pay them what they deserve, we can strengthen the curriculum, improve tests and measures, expect more of students. In short, if we have the will, we can improve our schools" (p. 3). Their recommendations should not be taken lightly, however. Kearns is Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation, and Doyle is Senior Research Fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank.

Though the authors admit that even most public school teachers enroll their children in private schools (two to one) and that the present school system politicizes education by making it subject to the political process rather than the market or economic processes, the authors are explicitly against vouchers or tax-tuition credits. They support increased choice only among the state-run schools. (Somehow they have redefined "choice" in the process.) Also like Finn, they advocate year round schools that offer preschool education and day care. In other words, the state schools should become surrogate parents. The authors want increased teacher independence in curriculum selection, but increased accountability through merit pay and national testing. And they advocate more federal funds for Head Start programs, magnate school programs, education research, and . . ., and . . ., and . . . . In short, money and accountability will solve our educational woes.

Don't buy their proposition. Simply send your kid to a private school like most public officials. Choose the best rather attempt to coerce others.