Description
Book SynopsisThe Arc of Educational Change places American educational history into a realistic, modern historical context that recognizes both the importance of collaboration as well as the role of individuals who traditionally have been excluded from our educational narrative. These include women, African Americans, immigrants and working people.
At a time when individualism has come to dominate our world and we often celebrate the accomplishments of the great figures of the past and present, we sometimes forget that cooperation, collaboration, and networking have always been at the heart of progress, change and improvement of our social order, our economy, and our educational system.
The Arc of Educational Change provides a balanced perspective of American educational history that recognizes both the important role of individuals as well as a diverse set of collaborators who helped promote equity, inclusion, and justice in our schools.
Trade ReviewProfessors Donald and Jo Ann Parkersons’ new book, The Arc of Educational Change, examines the history of education in the United States through the lens of collaboration. Like the eminent, early twentieth-century Americanist historians, Charles and Mary Beard, the Parkersons have collaborated on seven books of history. The works of both the Beards and Parkersons were significantly enhanced by their insightful careers of professional collaboration. In The Arc of Educational Change, the Parkersons survey the foundation of American education, then describe how collaboration’s major forms: intellectual, movement, public/private, and collective impact initiatives, all facilitated educational reform. Avoiding traditional, narrow perspectives, the Parkersons examine how varied innovators, including philosophers, women, minorities, and government officials, directly and indirectly influenced each other to move educational reform forward. The Parkersons successfully argue In The Arc of Educational Change that there is enhanced value and deeper understanding in applying the many manifestations of collaboration to the history of education in the US.
-- Kenneth Wilburn, D.Phil. Oxford, Professor Emeritus, East Carolina University
In The Arc of Educational Change, Jo Ann and Don Parkerson draw upon the insights of their extensive experience as historians of American education. In their latest volume, they tackle how the "great man theory" has unduly influenced American Educational historiography. They identify four types of collaboration in the history of education and use them to uncover a range of groups and interests that truly contributed to the development of the American educational system. A strongly recommended addition to any university or community college library, this book will be of interest to educators, parents, and anyone with a stake in the future of American education.
-- Heather Lyn Seibert, Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Collaboration in American Educational History
Chapter One: Foundationalists
Chapter Two: Advocates of the Poor
Chapter Three: Education for Democracy
Chapter Four: Gender Equity in Education
Chapter Five: The Common School
Chapter Six: A Curriculum for the Nation
Chapter Seven: Freedmen’s Bureau Schools
Chapter Eight: The Progressives
Chapter Nine: Champions of Racial Justice
Chapter Ten: The Arc of Educational Change
References
About the Authors
