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Charter Schools and Their Enemies Hardcover – June 30, 2020

by Thomas Sowell (Author)

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Winner of the 2021 Hayek Book Prize

A leading conservative intellectual defends charter schools against the teachers' unions, politicians, and liberal educators who threaten to dismantle their success. The black-white educational achievement gap -- so much discussed for so many years -- has already been closed by black students attending New York City's charter schools. This might be expected to be welcome news. But it has been very unwelcome news in traditional public schools whose students are transferring to charter schools. A backlash against charter schools has been led by teachers unions, politicians and others -- not only in New York but across the country. If those attacks succeed, the biggest losers will be minority youngsters for whom a quality education is their biggest chance for a better life.

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Basic Books
Publication date

June 30, 2020
Dimensions

6.38 x 1 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

1541675134
ISBN-13

978-1541675131
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A methodologically rigorous, closely argued, data-driven case for charter schools...Thomas Sowell is a national treasure in a nation that does not entirely deserve him."―National Review

About the Author

Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of dozens of books including Charter Schools and Their Enemies, winner of the 2021 Hayek Book Prize. He is the recipient of numerous other awards, including the National Humanities Medal, presented by the President of the United States in 2003.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books (June 30, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541675134
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541675131
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.38 x 1 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #48,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Charter Schools
- #9 in Educational Law & Legislation Law
- #39 in Macroeconomics (Books)

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1,332 ratings

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Randy A. Cook

A Book that will make your blood boil!

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020

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First off, you need to get past chapter 2, which may seem tough after seeing the statistics seemingly repeated for several different Charter School networks, but do not get discouraged! There is light at the end of the Chapter 2 tunnel! The level of downright immoral and uncaring behavior of people who seemingly always claim to be so caring about everyone is appalling, and frankly shocking. I can only hope this book reaches many parents who need better schools for their children. If we are lucky, it will speak to someone in society truly looking for a way to help kids in failing schools and who has the means to start a charter school, and has the stomach for it...

It will be interesting to see the negative reviews and refutations of this book over the coming weeks and months which hopefully bring this topic to the national stage.

The author has taken the time and effort to overcome seemingly every objection (valid and frivolous) to charter schools by providing the data to support his assertions, primarily from New York state. He is honest where charter schools are not the best, but the overwhelming supply of empirical data suggests that Charter Schools are much needed and in greater numbers in most big cities.

His disdain for the Mayor of New York is not lost on the reader, and rightfully so after reading the actions taken by the Mayor to sacrifice the education of New York's youngsters for what seems to be his own ego and that of his "supporters". I just cannot understand it myself, but like I said, maybe we'll see some rebuttals, and hopefully they have facts to back them up.

230 people found this helpful

Helpful

More a report than a book, but a very important one.

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020

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This is a very important book, though it is more of a 'report' than a conventional book. The nearly 300 pp. include approximately 200 pp. of documentation/charts/references. The commanding point that is made is apparent on its face: charter schools offer conscientious parents and students in minority communities an opportunity to achieve a better education than the one provided by nearby public institutions. This is not true in 100% of the cases, but it is largely true and sufficiently true to make the claim that the denial of such a choice should be seen as the principal civil rights issue of our times.

The corollaries are also manifestly true. The teachers' unions oppose charter schools because they transfer resources from their coffers to student needs. The democrats oppose charter schools because they are the beneficiaries of significant campaign contributions from the teachers' unions. The colleges of education oppose charter schools because their form of 'validation' is based on diplomas and certificates rather than palpable student results. The ideologues oppose charter schools because charters are more disciplined and their curricula are more traditional and academic rather than therapeutic.

Because this is all obvious and because the entrenched special interests are so intransigent TS is obligated to offer proof beyond a reasonable doubt, proof that corrects for multiple variables, proof that tells it like it is, names names and takes a firm stand. This he does.

While the writing is lucid and the logic is rigorous TS is forced to bend over backwards to make his telling, empirical argument. Remember that the academy is still invested in the thought of the French Nietzscheans (long passé in France, of course) which opposes such 'foundational' thinking as that based on fact, logic and reason. The result is a 'drier' account than we usually expect from TS, but that is mandated by the enormity of the task at hand and the attacks that the book is sure to receive.

Since the issue has been thoroughly politicized by the left and its craven supporters like Bill deBlasio, the intellectual, alternative case must be airtight. Then, the counter political action must follow.

The most haunting reality articulated in the book (a favorite example of TS's) is the experience with Dunbar High School in the District of Columbia. Back in the day, before it was constrained by the D.C. educational establishment, the performance of its minority students was exemplary. It was fully competitive with the private schools of the wealthy and sent a very high percentage of its graduates to distinguished colleges and universities and set them on impressive career paths. Dunbar's experience made the fact crystal clear that black students were capable of accomplishing anything academic. This was done at a time when there was far greater racism within our society. Since then black students have seen their opportunities constrained by the absence of fathers, a political culture of dependency, an ideology of victimhood and an educational establishment that places student success at the bottom of their list of priorities (if it considers student success at all). As Albert Shanker said, "When schoolchildren start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of schoolchildren" (p. 56).

Tom Sowell understands all of this from both his extensive scholarship and his deep, personal experience. Hear him.

173 people found this helpful

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Handymancan

Sowell, 90 & Still Fighting

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2020

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"This is especially important when considering children from a cultural background lacking the advantages that are common among children born into more fortunate circumstances. Children who have not received at home the educational, behavioral or other foundations for making the most of their natural abilities, must get those things in schools. These are the plain and harsh realities.

The stakes are huge - not only for children whose education can be their one clear chance for a better life, but also for a whole society that needs productive members, fulfilling themselves while contributing their talents to the progress of the community at large. Students who emerge from their education with a mastery of mathematics, the English language and other fundamentals are ready to be those kinds of people, regardless of what color or class they come from. No narrow vested interest of adults - whether financial, political or ideological - should be allowed to block that"
- Thomas Sowell, 'Charter Schools and Their Enemies'

87 people found this helpful

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Mariellen

Very insightful book

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020

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Dr. Sowell meticulously lays out the facts about the educational success of charter schools and the critics who seek to destroy them. Lots of facts and evidence to support his claims. Every parent should read this.

44 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Suz

Must Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2021

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A must read for every educator, leader, parent or anyone who values the next generation and cares about tomorrow. Read this

Patrick

Another factual, grounded and good read by Dr. Thomas Sowell

Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2020

Verified Purchase

A clear and concise take on the results and political hurdles charter schools have come to face, despite their overall success. Tons of sources and comparable data of both public schools and charter school proficiency, along with a good explanation of how accountability is defined differently by differing parties within the schooling system.

You can only hope more people will be aware of such blatant blockades by the bizarre politicos working against a system to best educate a new wave of children.

8 people found this helpful

Tim B.

Charter Schools Fully Explained

Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

Thomas Sowell explains every aspect of charter schools in a way that educates the reader about what they are, their merits and why they are so opposed by vested interests in teacher's unions and government.

I had no idea that millions of students are on waiting lists and the opposition by Democratic mayors who are in bed with the unions so visceral and strong. The shame of it is that charter schools perform on a far higher plain, cost less, are disciplined and above all driven by success. It's no wonder that inner city minority families are so desperate to get their children out of crime ridden failed public schools and into quality charter schools where their children can, and do, succeed.

From everything I absorbed they should be the way of the future and I'd hope this becomes a major national political cause to make this happen.

Thomas Sowell is to be congratulated for shedding so much needed light on this important issue.

One person found this helpful

G. Morin

Very informative

Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book should be translated and made manditory for the Quebec population.

5 people found this helpful

Jeff Brown

Countering the false narratives

Reviewed in Canada on January 1, 2021

Verified Purchase

A clear and indisputable refutation of the false narratives regarding inner city schools as promulgated by their protagonists. If you've wondered why our inner city youth seem programmed for failure, why there is a lack of opportunity, and why more money cannot solve the problems, here are your answers. This is an important book, that the establishment would prefer burned.

One person found this helpful

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