Crash Course: A Radical Plan for Improving Public Education

by Chris Whittle

The founder of Edison Schools and Channel One describes the sobering challenges that are preventing a large percentage of today's young people from acquiring a quality public education, in an account that makes recommendations on how to institute effective improvements. Reprint.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2006

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whittle is a former business person who believes schools should be organized like businesses. His view of the classroom comes largely from what he observed in Japan. He believes in larger class sizes and more opportunities for students to work independently of teacher-directed instruction. He says by high school, only 1/4th of instruction should be directed by teacher. He also states larger class sizes will solve the teacher shortage problem, and thus, increase competition and compensation. He believes a master teacher (at least 10 years experience) should have the opportunity to make $100,000. Students should be organized in K-8 schools and should be given opportunities for leadership, such as media assistants, custodians, hall monitors, and mentors. Finally, he believes universities should have a school for principals just like they do for medicine or law, and Whittle even goes as far as to say a successful principal should make $250,000. Very interesting book, because Whittle actually shows how practical his idea is. I believe his organization (Edison Schools) are being implemented in Chicago Public as well as other places.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Whittle, founder of Edison Schools, writes a compelling argument mainly focused on why America should allow the private sector into public education. He believes education should be modeled the same way that big businesses and corporations are modeled. To implement new school designs and systems, he says that we need large-scale, comprehensive private-sector partnerships with local school districts.

One thing Whittle’s book really opened my eyes to was how throwing money into public education really isn’t working. It seems great to say “Fund public education! Give public schools more money so that each student has an education that sets them up for success!”. But as Whittle points out, the cost-per-child spending per year has been increasing rapidly almost every year. And yet we’re not seeing an increase in literacy, we’re not seeing teachers who want to stay in the field, and we’re not seeing students who understand why their education is important. Part of this, Whittle believes, is teacher unions. While once they fought for teacher rights and fair pay, they are now part of a political agenda and they allow poor teachers to keep their jobs. Part of this is also how funds are allocated and spent. Whittle believes a more radical change is necessary to change the course of America’s school systems.

As a teacher myself (and a new teacher, at that), Whittle voiced a lot of the frustrations that I’ve already felt working in the public school system. The poor curriculums chosen by out-of-touch leaders, the lack of assistance for new teachers, having to teach with outdated books and technology. The way he puts it, America has basically accepted failure and accepted a lower standard for our children. It’s sad and it makes me angry.

I could say a lot more about this book. I’d like to read a book countering Whittle’s ideas because obviously this is just one take and one set of opinions. However, it is backed up with data and statistics and I believe Whittle really does believe in a better future for education, something we all should be fighting for in some way or another.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edison’s (now former) CEO applies lessons and offers insights derived from working in public education. A bold thinker and excellent conceptualizer—metaphors and comparisons that bring problems and ideas to the forefront—Whittle makes a strong case for major vertical initiatives at the national and state and local level. As someone (I work for Edison)who had heard many of the ideas detailed in the book before, the originality of this treatise was undermined by familiarity. But Whittle has a natural, conversational prose style that both engages and maximizes understanding. Compelling, direct, and challenging, he can make pursuing the impossible seem not only plausible but necessary.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A provocative book, still relevant several years after he wrote it. I don't always agree with Whittle, but you can't accuse him of failing to think big, and I think that his ideas deserve real consideration. His emphasis on education R & D is welcome, and I also like his vision of schools that relentlessly focus on results.
Fun stuff to chew on, for sure.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy's got a lot of great ideas that, with proper support, could honestly revolutionize our education system. It would take a lot of convincing and unless Chris Whittle becomes the Sec of Edu, I don't see it happening the way he wants.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick, but provocative read. Also interesting to read about ed reform from a perspective several years back- just after NCLB, well before Michelle Rhee, Race to the Top, etc. Why have I not heard about Whittle in the last few years? Or much about Edison?

[Cody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas on improving public education.

[Kelly Swiryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This guy and his company are a perfect marriage for No Child Left Behind. The book itself is also not what I hoped for.

[William Lawrence · Rating 1 out of 5]

pro-market creator of Channel One; you be the judge.

[Greendot Public Schools]

3 copies in GDL