23 Myths About the History of American Schools: What the Truth Can Tell Us, and Why It Matters

by Sherman Dorn (editor), David A. Gamson (editor)

In this fascinating collection, some of the foremost historians of education—including Barbara Beatty, Larry Cuban, Linda Eisenmann, Yoon Pak, John Rury, and Jonathan Zimmerman—debunk commonly held myths about American schooling. Each short, readable chapter focuses on one myth, explaining what the real history is and how it helped shape education today. Contributors take on a host of tall tales, including the supposed agrarian origins of summer vacation; exaggerated stories of declining student behavior and academic performance; persistent claims that some people are born to be teachers; idealistic notions that the 1954 Brown decision ended segregation in American schools; misleading beliefs that classrooms operate in ways designed to fit the industrial era; and more. 23 Myths About the History of American Schools will awaken the inner history nerd of everyone who ever asked, “How did we get this crazy school system?” It will affirm the truth that its readers are as entitled to think critically about schooling as anyone else.
Contributors include Barbara Beatty, Larry Cuban, Linda Eisenmann, Yoon Pak, John Rury, and Jonathan Zimmerman.

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2024

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total waste of money. This book is basically 23 (ten page) term papers. The writing is incredibly dry. No true insight is provided, and there is zero attempt at a nuanced debate or discussion of the issues.