Description
Book SynopsisA revealing, and troubling, view of American high school students and the ways they pursue high grades and success. It follows five highly regarded students through a school year, finding that these young people believe getting ahead requires manipulating the system, scheming, lying and cheating.
Trade Review“A scholarly study presented with great clarity and enlivened by vignettes of student life, this work provides a fresh perspective on the state of American education, and yet another reason to press for systematic reform.”—
Publishers Weekly“A revealing look at the quandaries of today’s high school students.”—
Library JournalNamed as a 2001 Notable Book in Education by the
American School Board Journal“
Doing School illuminates important issues in curriculum studies. In addition, it provides an accessible model of qualitative educational inquiry. My students regard it as one of their most helpful texts.”—Richard Siegesmund, University of Georgia
“I have used
Doing School in both undergraduate and graduate courses, in both places to great effect. In short, Professor Pope’s book is fabulous not only for the accessibility of its writing, the careful portraits she paints and the arguments she draws from them, but also for its methodological innovativeness and interpretive sophistication.”—Simone Schweber, University of Wisconsin–Madison
“Many of my students remarked that
Doing School reflected their own secondary school experience, and that reading it forced them to consider that experience in light of their preparation to teach. Students also commented that they sat down to read the first chapter, and simply read the entire book in one sitting—it was that compelling and that well written.”—Charles Dorn, Santa Clara University
“
Doing School is a loud wake-up call about the disconnect between what our best high schools and colleges say they are all about and the pressure they put on students. The book raises disturbing questions about the kind of ‘high standards’ we are pushing for in our schools. It should inform any discussion of what it means to be an educated person in the 21st century.”—Edward B. Fiske, editor of
The Fiske Guide to Colleges“
Doing School gives us a penetrating view of how students cope with the pressures of schooling. Just how they cope should concern all who want from education substantially more than the superficial accommodation that even high achieving students display. Pope’s book should be read by policymakers at all levels of education.”—Elliot W. Eisner, Stanford University
