The Politics Of Education

The book provides an introduction to the political dimensions of schooling and recent educational reform debates. It discusses topics such as political economy, class, cultural politics, race, and gender, and offers undergraduates and starting graduate students in education an understanding of these dimensions. Kenneth Saltman introduces contemporary educational debates and seriously considers views across the political spectrum from the vantage point of critical education. Updates to this second edition work through contemporary reform debates that include topics such as the reauthorization of ESEA, race and diversity, standardized testing and common core, and classroom technology. With opportunities for readers to engage in deeper discussion through Questions for Further Discussion and a Glossary of key terms, The Politics of Education remains a much-needed, accessible primer, providing the critical tools needed to make sense of the current politics of education.

The Politics of Education provides an introduction to both the political dimensions of schooling and the politics of recent educational reform debates. The book offers undergraduates and starting graduate students in education an understanding of numerous dimensions of the contested field of education, addressing questions of political economy, class, cultural politics, race, and gender. Noted scholar Kenneth Saltman introduces contemporary educational debates and seriously considers views across the political spectrum from the vantage point of critical education, emphasizing schooling for broader social equality and justice. Updates to this second edition work through contemporary reform debates that include topics such as the reauthorization of ESEA, race and diversity, standardized testing and common core, and classroom technology. With opportunities for readers to engage in deeper discussion through Questions for Further Discussion and a Glossary of key terms, The Politics of Education remains a much-needed, accessible primer, providing the critical tools needed to make sense of the current politics of education. Review: 'Educating our citizens is a political act, and if teachers are not familiar with how political thought influences them and the system in which they work, they will be buffeted by forces they do not understand and cannot control. This informative book provides insights teachers need. A must-read for the concerned educator.' -David Berliner, Regents Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University 'Saltman's engaging text provides the reader with the critical tools to make sense of the current politics of education. Readers are introduced to complicated concepts in ways that show how they help us deconstruct the dominant discourses and practices. Furthermore, the writings of both well-known and unfortunately neglected theorists are put into context so that their usefulness becomes clear. Highly recommended for the beginning and advanced student of education policy!' -David Hursh, University of Rochester 'Teachers need this book because Kenneth Saltman shatters the deep conviction that their work has nothing to do with politics. Each chapter opens up another part of the unacknowledged political imperatives that define the schoolroom-from critical pedagogy as a meaning-making practice to cultural imperialism to what corporate school reform is really about. I needed this book for my first fifteen years as a teacher.' -Susan Ohanian, teacher, educational activist, and author of Why Is Corporate America Bashing Our Schools?