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Informationen zum Autor By Katherine Baird Klappentext Our students aren't learning, we're falling behind other countries, and many of our college graduates are even functionally illiterate. We offer our kids a weak and poorly thought out curriculum; too many teachers do not make good use of classroom time and follow lesson plans that are superficial and repetitive; almost all state governments define "proficiency" at low levels of competency; and because kids with very uneven skills populate a classroom, teachers spend considerable time on review before introducing new material. This dismal picture is tempered by the fact that the hard work and dedication of countless teachers and administrators means that many students get an excellent education. But it doesn't temper it much. As a group, even our top students are not as strong as are those in a large majority of other rich countries. But it doesn't have to be this way. Katherine Baird, an economist, starts by clearly spelling out how our educational system is trapped in mediocrity. Yet, she doesn't just expose where we are. She identifies the steps to get out of the trap. We need to (1) dramatically reform our education's governance structure, (2) establish high expectations for all students, (3) provide adequate support to meet those expectations, and (4) introduce strong incentives for students to work hard in school so they do their part in meeting higher standards. Clearly, it isn't as simple as it sounds, but Baird carefully examines each factor that has led to the current state in education and then spells out how a combination of policies will weaken the forces that keep our schools mediocre and instead make them ones worth copyingKatherine Baird, an economist, clearly spells out how our educational system is trapped in mediocrity. She points the direction to where we need to go to get out of the trap and carefully examines each factor that has lead to the current state in education. Inhaltsverzeichnis PrefacePerspective of the BookHow We CompareMeasuring Student OutcomesPlan of the Book PART I: Setting the StageChapter 1: A Historical and Comparative Perspective on the United State's Educational SystemA Brief History of Educational Governance and Policy in AmericaComparison of Contemporary Education Policy in the United States with Other Countries Centralization Vocational EducationOrganizationChapter 2: Just How Low Are Our Educational Standards?What Do We Mean by Educational Standards?Educational Standards as Reflected in Stated ObjectiveEducational Requirements and the Educational EnvironmentHow Hard is it To Succeed in School? Curriculum and Demands in the ClassroomExpectations of Student PerformancePART II: Why Low Standards MatterChapter 3: The Consequences of Low Expectations on Student Effort Low Expectations Cause Low EffortMixed MessagesNo One to the RescueCurricular Tracks and Beliefs Chapter 4: Low Standards Compromise Higher Education's Mission College Preparation and the Growing Reliance on Remedial ClassesCollege StandardsUnrealistic Expectations: College DropoutsChapter 5: Reduced Productivity and Increased Wage DisparitiesWages and Wage InequalityNational Income and Economic GrowthChapter 6: Low Standards Harm Those We Think Are HelpedEducational OutputsEducational Inputs: Uneven School QualityClass and CurriculumWhy and How Curriculum Matters Importance of ClassesInformation and ExpectationsSumming It UpPART III: Why Low Educational Standards PersistChapter 7: The Tyranny of Too Many Voices or "Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth"Local Control and Educational Standards Local Control and Educational Standards: A TheoryLocal Control and Educational Standards: Practice Schools From An Organizational PerspectiveThe Organization of SchoolsPoor Coordination and InconsistencyPlausible DeniabilitySymbolic ComplianceLack of UniformityChapter 8: Exi...
