Description
Book SynopsisTraditional public educators in the US have too little information about the free market of schooling, otherwise known as privatization/choice education. As a result, traditional public education colleagues have lost sight of where they are and how they got there. In this primer, educators, parents/caregivers, and policymakers are offered an examination of the forces and factors that undercut traditional public education and an inquiry into the primary purpose and quality instruction that distinguishes traditional public education from free market schooling. Without knowing about the educational misdirection fostered by free market schooling, traditional public education in the US cannot invest in continuous improvement necessary to enrich the futures of all students and our nation's democracy. The time has come for traditional public educators to study how we got out on a limb. This book explores the nature of free market schooling and discusses the information that traditional public
Trade ReviewIndiana stands as ground zero in efforts to privatize public education. From approval of a charter school law in 2001 to the nation’s largest school voucher program, its policymakers are unwavering champions of market-driven approaches to educating children. Educators Jeff Swensson, John Ellis, and Mike Shaffer were uniquely positioned to watch the Hoosier State’s grand experiment with school choice unfold and now offer a call-to-arms to colleagues in public education. Their two volumes describe the threat posed by privatization and—more important—why and how it must be addressed. Their work makes for a fascinating read and an important resource for educators inspired to respond. -- Karen Francisco, Editorial Page Editor for “The Journal Gazette,” Fort Wayne
Given the critical discussion between public and private educational delivery in our country, Drs. Swensson, Ellis, and Shaffer have delivered an excellent book with a non-political analysis that is a good read for practitioners and non-practitioners. -- Richard Helton, PhD, President Emeritus, Vincennes University
Table of ContentsPreface: Climb Out on a Limb with Us! Introduction: How this primer works Chapter 1: The Primary Purpose of Traditional Public Education vs. Free Market Theory Chapter 2: Primer? Primer? We Don’t Need a Stinking Primer! Chapter 3: Where in the World Is Traditional Public Education? Chapter 4: The Mechanisms Sold as Education in the Free Market Chapter 5: Let’s Meet Two Advocates for Free Market Schooling Chapter 6: The Sinkhole that Is Context of the Free Market Chapter 7: Free Market ATM’s from Coast-to-Coast Chapter 8: The Public Good and Traditional Public Education Chapter 9: What We Don’t Know About the Free Market Hurts Chapter 10: Students Sold Short in the Free Market Chapter 11: Subtlety in the Free Market: “Yeah, But…” Chapter 12: The Free Market Is a Desperate Place; Traditional Public Education to the Rescue Chapter 13: What It Takes to Climb Off the Limb References Author Bio
