Culture Wars: School and Society in the Conservative Restoration

by Ira Shor

This lively and controversial work critiques the conservative efforts in the 1970s and 1980s to undo the educational reforms of the 1960s, to reestablish control over the curriculum, and to change the nature of the debate and the goals of education.

"An outstanding work of educational theory and history."—John Coatsworth, University of Chicago

Genres: Education, Politics

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s remarkable about reading this book, which is an overview of the conservative reaction to the 1960s push for greater equality and freedom in education, is how little their arguments and policies have changed since the book was written in the early 1980s. 45 years later and we are still fighting the same culture wars within education.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is when Shor looks at the renewed focus on career/vocational training as part of this conservative reaction, and how much it was a conscious ideological project to keep women, black people, workers etc. “in their place.” Definitely a lot of useful starting points for looking at where current issues in education arose here.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting subject material, but really poorly written.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good information about the history of school reform, but Shor's arguments are poorly and immaturely articulated.