Education and the Crisis of Public Values: Challenging the Assault on Teachers, Students, & Public Education

by Henry A. Giroux

This book was awarded a CHOICE outstanding Academic Title and has received the Annual O. L. Davis, Jr. Outstanding Book Award from the AATC (American Association for Teaching and Curriculum) and the AESA (American Educational Studies Association) Critics Choice Award 2012 .
Education and the Crisis of Public Values examines American society’s shift away from democratic public values, the ensuing move toward a market-driven mode of education, and the last decade’s growing social disinvestment in youth. The book discusses the number of ways that the ideal of public education as a democratic public sphere has been under siege, including full-fledged attacks by corporate interests on public school teachers, schools of education, and teacher unions. It also reveals how a business culture cloaked in the guise of generosity and reform has supported a charter school movement that aims to dismantle public schools in favor of a corporate-friendly privatized system. The book encourages educators to become public intellectuals, willing to engage in creating a formative culture of learning that can nurture the ability to defend public and higher education as a general good – one crucial to sustaining a critical citizenry and a democratic society.

Genres: Education

129 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2011

About the author

American cultural critic. One of the founding theorists of critical pedagogy in the United States, he is best known for his pioneering work in public pedagogy, cultural studies, youth studies, higher education, media studies, and critical theory.

A high-school social studies teacher in Barrington, Rhode Island for six years, Giroux has held positions at Boston University, Miami University, and Penn State University. In 2005, Giroux began serving as the Global TV Network Chair in English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Giroux has published more than 35 books and 300 academic articles, and is published widely throughout education and cultural studies literature. Since arriving at McMaster, Giroux has been a featured faculty lecturer, and has published nine books, including his most recent work, The University in Chains: Confronting the Military-Industrial-Academic Complex.

Routledge named Giroux as one of the top fifty educational thinkers of the modern period in 2002.

Reviews

[Kathrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

From now on, anytime I start feeling too complacent, or start wondering how on earth I ended up standing behind the lectern in a college of ed classroom (which is silly, 'cuz I don't actually use the lectern, but it is a good place to hang my coat), I will pick up something written by Giroux, and I will thank my lucky stars I have the however distant possibility that I might offer a student or two a flash of critical insight that ties their endeavor to teach with a desire to change the world. And not in a '60's protest kind of way, but a way that, just by recognizing and using language to alter perceptions just enough, can shine light on what power structures would prefer stay shaded, to recognize greed and corruption despite the fancy suit it wears, to question, always, what everyone else insists is common sense.

[Alyssa Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting and accessible (and horrifying) account of the neoliberal assault on education. Giroux examines how market-based “reform” deprofessionalizes teachers, weakens collective bargaining, and encourages privatization. He calls for a more critical pedagogy, envisioning public education that prepares students for futures as democratic citizens rather than simply future workers.

[Roberto Suarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that with my optimistic and industrious ideologies I have been easily caught up in the mix of challenging the current educational system. However, after reading "Education and the Crisis of Public Values" I have come to believe there may be bigger issues and agendas at play. Why have teachers and the education system come under such attack and ridicule? What are the driving forces that have created such an exaggerated mockery of such an indispensible transformative social good? Why aren't all governmental positions, such as, politicians, under the same kind of attack of meeting specifications of performance pushed by the media? If private sector practices (business methods) are so great that they filter into the education system, why did the banking system, auto industry, and housing market have to be bailed out by the public sector? If we really want to focus on improving schools and ultimately shaping the future of our nation we need to focus on developing critically thinking imaginative engaged citizens and support our teachers by working toward ending poverty, crime, and disengaged citizens (e.g., uninvolved parents). More teachers, smaller class sizes, and incentives for parents getting involved into their children's education may be some of the answers. If we continue on the current track we are on we will decrease quality and increase monetary funds for other agendas, while creating a more confirmative ignorant pop culture focused society. We will cease to see future transformative, talented, and creative leaders.

[Erendira]

Library VCL Acq - ordered 12/7/11

Main LA 217.2.G54 2012

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that provides a lot of insight into the current state of education. It's required reading for my students.