Beyond Counterfeit Reforms: Forging an Authentic Future for All Learners

by William G. Spady, Ursula Ahern, Ian Jukes

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why do we do this?" when faced with the day-to-day realities of school, such as report cards, standardized tests, or textbooks? Chances are, if you are like most Americans, you haven't. William Spady has, however, and in Beyond Counterfeit Reforms he questions the dead-end assumptions of American education. He asserts a set of five "research realities" that should be the foundation of any truly learner-centered system: Human Potential, Human Learning, Domains of Living, Future Conditions, and Life Performance. Not only does Spady thoroughly articulate the bad news about the deep organizational flaws in our schools, but he develops the model of a Total Learning Community a profoundly compelling description of a possible education and society which makes current reform methods look superficial and misguided in comparison.

241 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2001

About the author

William G. Spady is an academic, educational psychologist, sociologist and is considered the father of Outcome-Based Education (OBE). He is largely noted for his works that attempt to expand and enhance the philosophical grounding and performance of educators, leaders, educational systems, and learners. Spady is also the head of ChangeLeaders.