Humanizing the Education Machine

Public schooling in the United States has drawn sharp criticism for years, and the source material argues that the criticism is deserved. Survey findings cited here suggest that 70 percent of teachers feel disengaged. The author also points out that the country places last among industrialized nations in college graduation rates. Despite these problems, most classrooms still follow a model in which an instructor stands at the front and lectures, and the buildings that house them have changed little since the nineteenth century.

The book examines why this system has stopped working. Schools have not kept pace with the differences among students, including how they learn, the viewpoints they bring, and the circumstances of their home lives. It also lays out a path forward, showing how schools might change so that students become more engaged and parents have a real role in their children's education. The goal is to make the case for reform in a hopeful way.

The book is written for parents, educators, administrators, and community members who want to take part in improving public education. Readers will learn to identify the weaknesses of the current system, build a reasoned argument for change, and act to improve their local schools. It is intended for anyone who wants to be a well-informed advocate for their child or school district, or for professionals seeking a grounded guide to education reform.