None of Our Business: Why Business Models Don't Work in Schools

By Crystal England

At last-an insider's look at the insidious intrusion of corporate interests into American classrooms. Former middle school principal Crystal England makes it perfectly clear that schooling-as-business... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325004447
• ISBN13: 9780325004440
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Precisely Educating

Crystal England thoroughly analyzes the corporate-like techniques that are being implemented in our children's schools because of the "No Child Left Behind Act." Through each chapter the reader is provided with relevant facts, illustrations, and scenarios that explain how these business models don't work in schools. England has 15 years of educational experience as a teacher in a program for eighth graders of different learning styles, and as a K-12 special educator. She also is a Principal for a middle school, which has allowed her to experience both aspects of the educational world. This is a must read for teachers, administrators, parents, and aspiring teachers. I enjoyed the manner in which the book was written because it had a constant flow, and kept the reader interested. It allowed the reader to easily understand the complicated concepts, and feel confident enough to reflect on them. Through research and analytical facts England constructs her case, and allows the reader to examine it and decide for themselves.

A timely read!

Author, Crystal M. England, has put a mirror in front of the weaknesses of this administration's "No Child Left Behind" fantasy. She cleverly uses a standard production line as a comparison to the way our politicians think we should do public education.As a teacher, I have long felt the countless frustrations that government programs put upon us. The time consuming Accountability requires way too much time......and the constant changes of programs causes most of us to just "throw up our hands"!Ms England is "right on" with the pointing at the weaknesses and failures of polictical intervention especially when that intervention takes on a production line philosophy for the progress of children. She is a clever writer...... the sub titles and the imagery makes book enjoyable and easy reading. The bibliography alone is worth the time.Thank you for this fine work.

None of Our Business: Why Business Models Don't Work in ...

England's "None of Our Business Why Business Model Don't Work in Schools" addresses the business model being use the schools such as the Standardize Test. She scrutinizes issues of expectations, marketing, standards, audience, assessment, and legislations role in the educational reform. England addresses these issues by opening the question of "Is education an art or and industry?" She goes on to say that it is not to say that standardize test is not the key to the children success but we as educators and none educators should look into other factors that may be affect the child's live too. She draws attention to idea of teachers focusing on creativity and individuality in addition to the test scores. Educators should read this book, whether they agree with the writer or not. This book will open your mind in questioning whether or not the business model really works.

An honest, insightful look at the public school system

This book gives readers a look at the difficulties schools and school personnel face each day in the classroom. The author has been a teacher and administrator, and knows exactly what goes on in schools and why the business model of education is not solving problems. She provides research as well as personal experience to support her claims the schools should not be run as businesses. With an emphasis on standardized testing and creating cookie cutter "products" (our children), education in its current form is failing. The factory model doesn't work when real people are involved. How can we measure creativity, imagination, effort and character? How can we effectively teach children all they need to succeed in life with the "bottom line" of high test scores hanging over our heads? This is a book that all legislators and policy makers should read to see how their decisions are affecting teachers, parents, and most importantly, children.

Book Review

Crystal England takes a look at how the business model and the corporate world intrude into the American classrooms. She makes it perfectly clear in her book how schooling as business is no schooling at all. The question is asked, "Is education an art or an industry?" "What matters most product or process?" The important issues we as educator should be focusing on are developing minds, students, families, and teachers. This book goes into great detail of how school-business model does not work. She addresses issues such as expectations, marketing, standards, assessment, and legislation. After reading this book it is clear that if schools are to be successful in creating and developing students, the business model of producing products must stay out of education. This book brought out many interesting points on how teachers must teach to the standards and how curriculums are cookie cutter models to achieve the standard that are desired. She concludes that teachers should be focusing on creativity, individuality, and diversity that create harmony in the classroom. It really sparked my curiosity of how teaching should really be taught and how businesses should stay out of it.