Why Schools Matter: A Cross-National Comparison of Curriculum and Learning

by William Schmidt, Curtis C. McKnight, Richard T. Houang

Schools do matter. There is a direct correlation between what schools teach, and what students learn and achieve. With this important study you'll explore the curriculum-learning connection, and the prospects for improving educational outcomes for all kids.

Why Schools Matter emerged from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)--the largest ongoing educational research effort. TIMSS results have been widely reported in the popular press to underline how far the U.S. lags behind other Western countries in math and science achievement. This important study is the first comprehensive analysis of curriculum for teachers, school and district administrators, directors of curriculum, and educational policy makers.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 2001

Reviews

[William Schram · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Why Schools Matter" is by several scholars on education. It is both dry and dull, so it is not for the layman. The authors posit that the value of schools comes from the curriculum. They examine data on schools and learning gathered from the TIMSS. The book is from 2001, so it is also dated. If you can find it, I wouldn't bother reading it unless you are a specialist.