The School in the United States: A Documentary History

by James W. Fraser

Students come alive when dealing with primary sources. Yet no current History of Education text supplies primary source documents. Fraser�s unique text is a documentary history of education in the United States and can save the instructor from doing a good deal of photocopying. It consists of primary source documents which illustrate and map the establishment and evolution of education in America. For example, the text includes documents such as Beecher�s �Essay on the Education of Female Teachers,� �A Nation At Report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education,� and selections from Dewey�s School and Society and Holt�s How Children Fail . Introductions and explanations frame the primary sources to help students understand the background and context of the documents. The book can be used as a main or a supplemental text at either the undergraduate or graduate level..

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, History, School

Paperback

First published August 29, 2000

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

James W. Fraser tells a history of education in the United States to identify the many different populations which have played roles in articulating what education could be. The author arranges a large collection of primary sources which helps readers think-through how different people(s) in the U.S. have expressed their needs in education. Readers seeking an introduction to U.S. education history should be satisfied. This book can be a useful primary textbook for an undergraduate history course too.

[Yoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book on the history of education. As a teacher I understand instructional pedagogy but I never understood the purpose for education in America. This book gives a excellent timeline on how education emerged from the Puritans to no Child left behind.

[Joel Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly useful and interesting. Will likely revisit many of these documents again.

[Emily Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly for a textbook, this was interesting. Provided some great contexts for the modern educational system and the introductions to each chapter were full of great insights.

[Collin D.N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for class (the author of this book is also the instructor of the class).

I found this to be a very accessible, well rounded look at the history of education in our country. Presents issues, then follows up with contrasting viewpoints, giving the reader a good idea of the historical context of what was happening. A good resource, especially for someone who, like me, is coming in with pretty limited knowledge in this area.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preferred this text to the Urban & Wagoner assigned. Readings broken up in first person/primary source accounts. Each chapter starts off with an overview of what was going on in education at the time period outlined. Probably should be assigned with another overall volume, but a good stand out for an understanding. Occasionally not objective, especially towards the modern era.

[Vida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schools in the United States essential have the same problems that they had during their formation: segregation, funding issues, curriculum quality, low pay for teachers, lack of respect for teachers. This is an enlightening historical perspective in primary source form.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of education history in the United States from the colonial era to NCLB.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is comprised of numerous primary historical documents regarding schools, teachers, and students. Very interesting and accessible.