A Simple Justice: The Challenge of Small Schools

by William Ayers (Editor), Bill Ayers (Editor), Michael Klonsky

From the contributors:

"Small schools provide a context in which social relations between and among youth and adults, school and community, parents and teachers, and among educators are imbued with respect, reciprocity, and commitments to a larger common good." --Michelle Fine

"There are a host of irrefutable reasons why small schools are the easiest, most economical, and wisest single school reform idea around." --Deborah Meier

"Instead of the distrust and hostility which typically characterizes parent-teacher relations, small schools make it possible for parents and teachers to work together through their recognition of their common interests in providing for the education and well being of children." --Pedro Noguera

"Small schools have the potential to be powerful places for students to learn and for adults to grow and flourish . . .to be communities where social justice is practiced, not just talked about." --Nancy Mohr

Written by major players in the small schools movement, this collection of essays points to the ways school restructuring strategies connect to the ongoing pursuit of social justice. The editors bring together writers who are both educators and advocates for youth and who think changing schools can help change the world. Building bridges to their fellow educators, these essayists make powerful arguments in favor of smaller school size as an achievable reform goal.

Genres: Education, Social Justice

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

William Ayers is Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago (retired), education activist, and bestselling author of Teaching the Taboo: Courage and Imagination in the Classroom (with Rick Ayers), To Teach: The Journey of a Teacher, Third Edition, and To Teach: The Journey, in Comics (with Ryan Alexander-Tanner).

Reviews

[Online-University of-the-Left · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the small schools movement, with Mike Klonsky as a co-author and Obama campaigner. Shows the core of a decent approach to school reform where it's needed most.