Teachers, Schools, and Society

by Myra Pollack Sadker, David Miller Sadker, Karen R. Zittleman

This text presents an overview of education in America. It provides in-depth commentary on educational history, philosophy, and governance, while giving special attention to current critical topics such as the changing federal role in educational finance.

Genres: Education, Textbooks, Teaching, Nonfiction, Academic, School

672 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Nyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I practically read this textbook from cover to cover, only skipping a few pages here or there due to time constraints.

The authors made the text engaging, by being informative, easy to follow, earnest, honest, and down to earth. I liked that they made of point of stating when they were going "off script", in order to give a personal take on the topic at hand. They also highlighted both or all sides of the arguments over concepts, practices and/or laws that are or have been seen as controversial (ex. No Child Left Behind, and Common Core).

I actually wouldn't mind reading through it a second time at a more leisurely pace. I think it is a wonderful introduction to teaching and sphere of education as a whole.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to read this in bits and pieces. For a textbook it was extremely readable , easy to understand, full of real life examples and extras and links to good websites.

This book covers an introduction to education from the teacher's point of view. There is some coverage of the history of education but mostly there is very practical and useful information that a prospective teacher will actually be able to use. The writers approach the task as if they are having a friendly conversation with a friend and there is a nice balance here. I like it that they do not run down homeschoolers! Essentially this book is not really for homeschoolers or those who teach in private schools. It is for those who wish to be rank and file public school teachers.

[Melissa Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it is super strange to review a textbook, but this is the only textbook that I read from front to back and wasn't bored. Typically you skim textbooks looking for context clues: bold faced words and definitions. This textbook was so interesting that I actually enjoyed reading it.

I had to read this textbook for my EDUC 350 class, a prerequisite for the teacher credential program. In school, when I was younger, the teacher would touch on a few of the chapters and move on. It was great to be able to delve into all the chapters and get all the information.

The textbook is divided into 3 parts. Teachers and Students, Foundations and Schools and Classrooms. I definitely enjoyed the information of different ways of teaching and teaching philosophies.

What I enjoyed the most about this textbook is that it is written by professors. Dr. Sadker taught Jr. and High School as well as at a few Universities. Dr. Zittleman has her doctorate in teaching. She taught elementary and middle school. What I found growing up is that textbooks are put together by people who have no idea how to teach. The information isn't very informative, isn't appropriate for the age group or is outdated. These two professors wrote a textbook that was insightful and definitely helpful in my path to becoming a teacher. I got a 100% in class.

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my Instructional Practices for Differentiated Instruction class, I thought this book gave out good information. Especially when learning about differentiated in the classroom, and ways to teach those with a disability. I learn a lot while reading this book for my education course.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this textbook. It was written in a way that it seemed as if you were having a conversation with another person and wasn't just a boring book of definitions. It had great information and resources.

[Raymart Natural]

d

[Shenanitims · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have no problems with the actual information in the text, nor with how it's presented, the authors do throw in a lot of asides that make it seem amateurish. Passages will end with a segment directed at the reader which isn't something I expect from a textbook. I understand that they're trying to make it seem "hip," but it comes off as most attempts do: a skinny teacher in a backwards ball cap trying to rap so that kids know that he's "down." There's a section at the end of every third chapter dedicated to creating an alternative portfolio instead of a resume. Nothing wrong with that. Except they've given these sections the acronym R.A.P.

Mine was the tenth or eleventh edition. Maybe if they took out all the (one presumes) added asides and attempts to be "withit" and instead brought it back to the basic text, the ideas behind teaching, it would be less groan-worthy when reading.

[Ronni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was extremely readable, well-organized and developed, highly informative, and relevant. It was interesting to see how the authors worked to avoid bias, and to note where bias was detectable. Still, I found it was more balanced than many books, which is especially impressive because you could "hear" the authors' voices in this book--it was not dry and text-booky at all. Which can be a good thing when you really need practical information and background, as opposed to theory and research.

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first education textbook, and is definitely a great resource that covers a lot of basics. I'd like to say that I finished it, but my course only covered about half the chapters, so it's a book I'll have to come back to at some point when I'm not reading all the new textbooks I have...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great resource. I really enjoyed reading about the history of education. It doesn't got into great depth but offers an excellent overview.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent text! I couldn't recommend it more highly. Every aspect of education touched on and explored in depth. I learned a great deal from it.

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

an educational learning text and a look at the small scope of schools and students, teachers and the law.