Free schools

by Jonathan Kozol

Classic book from the 1970's.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

146 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Jonathan Kozol is a non-fiction writer, educator, and activist best known for his work towards reforming American public schools. Upon graduating from Harvard, he received a Rhodes scholarship. After returning to the United States, Kozol became a teacher in the Boston Public Schools, until he was fired for teaching a Langston Hughes poem. Kozol has held two Guggenheim Fellowships, has twice been a fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation, and has also received fellowships from the Field and Ford Foundations. Most recently, Kozol has founded and is running a non-profit called Education Action. The group is dedicated to grassroots organizing of teachers across the country who wish to push back against NCLB and the most recent Supreme Court decision on desegregation, and to help create a single, excellent, unified system of American public schools.

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

kozol is so freaking interesting, this is pretty rad just as an insight into his own biography, background to his increasing presence in current left-ish media.
plus the story itself is quite inspiring, and there's this one single quote that keeps dogging me everytime my mind turns toward wanting to abandon the city for wide open spaces:
"... I believe we have an obligation to stay here and fight these battles and work out these problems in the cities where there is the greatest need and where, moreover, we cannot so easily be led into a mood of falsified euphoria..." (p 8).
ouch!
of course, i ought to feel just as bad about continuing to work as a carpenter in the same light, no? aurgh.

[LIFEfluency Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Kozol's "Free Schools" is an exploration of alternative education models that challenge traditional notions of schooling. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Kozol unveils the inner workings of free schools, where students have the autonomy to direct their own learning journey.

Drawing on his extensive experience in education advocacy, Kozol paints a vivid picture of the vibrant communities that flourish within these unconventional institutions. He highlights the personalized approach to education, where students are not only encouraged but empowered to pursue their passions and interests.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to showcase the transformative impact of free schools on students' lives. Kozol skillfully weaves together anecdotes and case studies to demonstrate how these environments foster creativity, critical thinking, and a deep sense of self-awareness.

Moreover, "Free Schools" serves as a poignant critique of the standardized education system, exposing its shortcomings in catering to the diverse needs of learners. Kozol advocates for a paradigm shift in educational philosophy, one that prioritizes individual growth over conformity.

While celebrating the successes of free schools, Kozol does not shy away from addressing the challenges they face, including funding limitations and societal skepticism. However, his unwavering optimism and belief in the transformative power of education shine through, inspiring readers to reimagine the possibilities within the realm of schooling.

"Free Schools" is recommended to parents because it offers a fresh perspective on education that aligns with the aspirations many parents have for their children. By delving into the world of free schools, parents can gain insights into alternative educational approaches that prioritize individualized learning, creativity, and personal growth. This book empowers parents to explore unconventional options that may better suit their child's unique interests and learning style, fostering a deeper engagement with their child's education and encouraging them to advocate for educational reform. Additionally, "Free Schools" equips parents with valuable knowledge and resources to navigate the complex landscape of schooling, empowering them to make informed decisions about their child's educational journey.

In conclusion, "Free Schools" is a manifesto that challenges readers to reconsider the purpose and structure of education. Kozol's passionate advocacy for alternative learning environments serves as a beacon of hope for educators, parents, and policymakers alike, urging them to embrace innovation and equity in the pursuit of educational excellence.

[Theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost like in a movie: I glance the big letters of the title in a flea market book store, then go past it, then regret doing that, finally going back to read the blurb. It talks about the movement of "free schools", especially for Black and Spanish-speaking people in the US, in the 60s and 70s. Totally insightful, I'm amazed at their work, as well as surprised that I had never heard anything on it before.

[Kelsey Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting glimpse into the thinking and motivations of this fascinating educator.

[Bwags75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct overview of problems of public education from fifty years ago and are still relevant today. As a teacher, it caused me to reevaluate and re-examine my why for teaching.

[Allison Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, down-to-earth and incendiary! Johnathan Kozol writes candidly about his experiences setting up free, independent, community run schools in low-income black inner -city neighborhoods. He provides a readable handbook for starting your own, complete with ruminations on the illusions and challenges of white-counter culture and its place in the free school movement.

"The school that flies the flag is, in the long run, no matter what the handsome community leader in the startling Afro likes to say, accountable to that flag, and to the power and to the values which it represents."

"To plant a bean seed in a cut-down milk container and to call this "revolution" is to degrade and undermine the value of one of the sacred words. TO show a poor black kid in East St. Louis or in Winston-Salem or in Chicago how to make end runs around the white man's college-entrance scores- while never believin that those scores are more than evil digits written on the sky- to do this, in my scales of values, is the starting-point of an authentic revolution."