School Reform in America: History, Politics, and Policy

1 Course Unit

What is the purpose of schooling? Why does education seem to be in a constant state of reform? How best to close the entrenched and pernicious opportunity gaps that characterize school systems in the United States? In this first-year seminar, we will consider and debate these questions as we explore the history and politics of schooling in the U.S. over the last half-century. Topics include political movements for racial justice in schools, policy and legal efforts addressing equal opportunity, the rise of standards-based reform, school choice dilemmas, and community control of schools. Our goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the processes by which U.S. society constructs, prioritizes, and addresses education. 1 Course Unit