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Title: The Struggle for Control of Public Education: Market Ideology Vs. Democratic Values by Michael Engel ISBN: 1-56639-741-3 Publisher: Temple University Press Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Misunderstands both Democracy and Markets
Comment: This book had me both seriously annoyed and seriously confused within just a few pages. In the finest Orwellian tradition, the author redefines "democracy" to include some sort of socialist or quasi-socialist concept of economics that is taken for granted but never clearly defined. Thus, when he argues for "democratic" education, what he really argues for is an education system that follows his view of what a "democratic" society ought to look like - a view that he labels "democratic" without regard to whether it's what the majority wants.
The author correctly emphasizes the importance of cooperation toward shared goals to a democratic society. But he completely misses the fact that cooperating voluntarily in smaller groups is often better than fighting each other in the political arena over who gets to force their will onto everyone. As a result, he does a gross injustice to those of us who view the application of market forces in education not merely as an exercise in self-interest but as a way to achieve the fundamentally democratic goal of helping as many families as possible get as much of what they want as possible in their children's schools.
I do think the author has some worthwhile points regarding the dangers of some particular "reform" ideas that attempt to partially incorporate market principles without incorporating the most important market principle of all: choice. But even those would come across a lot better if the author didn't display an almost blind hatred toward markets.
Rating: 5
Summary: Stop the Corporate Juggernaut in Our Schools
Comment: I originally picked up this book because of its Civic Education chapter. After I read that (excellent) chapter, I started reading other parts of the book as well.
If you care about the future of our schools, our children, and our country, you should read this book. Engel will open your eyes to the real and disturbing trend of corporate influence in public education.
In his conclusion, he urges you to get involved with your local school board, which never receives much input from the community. Go to the board meetings, find a candidate you support and help him/her win, run for the board yourself...just do SOMETHING before it's too late and we've lost control of our schools.
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