Setting the Record Straight: Responses to Misconceptions about Public Education in the U.S.

By Gerald W. Bracey

Gerald Bracey knows there are three kinds of lies in education policy: lies, damned lies, and the statistics that reactionary reformers tout as evidence in favor of dismantling our public schools. In this second and substantially updated edition of the hard-hitting Setting the Record Straight, Bracey, whom Washington Post education reporter Jay Mathews called one of this country's most authoritative defenders of the work of public school teachers, goes toe-to-toe with the opponents of quality public education. You'll learn how to discredit them in your own discussions by using the very logic and statistical analyses they purport to have on their side.

In this series of smart, forceful analyses, Bracey homes in on specific topics like vouchers, school funding, and comparisons to international test scores, themes around which agitators have created a host of mythological American school failures from the flimsiest of evidence. In fact, each essay begins with a question you might commonly hear in conversation about these alleged shortcomings, to which Bracey provides a brief, sound- byte-ready rebuttal. Then he follows it up with a full-length explanation, replete with statistical data and talking points that fully support his assertions-and silence those who would undermine education with disinformation.

Beginning in his introduction with the seed that germinated in Ronald Reagan's Nation at Risk sloganeering and quickly fast-forwarding to the present-day federal intrusion into schools that has propelled so many political careers, Bracey stamps out the weeds of anti-public education advocacy and leaves no threat to quality teaching and learning behind. With Gerald Bracey and the truth behind you, you'll confidently take on the foes of public education in your own community and never again be cowed by the insidious arguments of education reformers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 032500594X
• ISBN13: 9780325005942
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 211 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.1"
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 12

Customer Reviews

Wonderful debunking

The media are crawling with supposed experts in education, most of them at right-wing think tanks, who claim that public education in the US has declined in recent decades, and is terrible compared with other countries. Gerald Bracey shows that there has been no serious recent decline in public education in the US, and that the US is about average by comparison with other advanced countries. This puts him at odds with conservatives. And not just conservatives: liberals have mostly joined conservatives in crying crisis, although for different reasons. Liberals want to increase funding for public education, and think that the best way to raise funding is to cry that there is a major crisis. Anyone who has been taken in by media myths about US public education MUST read Gerald Bracey's books.

Well Done

This book addresses many of the current misconceptions about education. I have enjoyed reading it very much. It is a bit liberal however. I do not think a conservative will enjoy it.

Left of Center

There's little question where Bracey stands with this book. Still it has good information educators need.

Stepping Up to the Plate

Gerald W. Bracey is one of few authors today who isn't afraid to confront the exquisitely orchestrated and deeply financed campaign to eradicate public education in this country. "Setting the Record Straight" is his latest contribution exposing the hidden agenda that is at the root of the accountability movement. Bracey identifies 17 misconceptions about public education. Each chapter begins with a capsule Q-A format. The question consists of a typical charge leveled at public schools, which he then answers in a sentence or two at most. The rest of the chapter develops his response with documented evidence -- not ideology. His ability to shun jargon makes what he says all the more convincing. "Setting the Record Straight" serves as an invaluable corrective to the case being built by those who stand to profit directly or indirectly by the elimination of public schools. It takes its place with the best books on the subject. Not all readers will be pleased with his remarks, but they will have to respect him. Walt Gardner taught for 28 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He writes frequently on education.

Education advocates need to read this

People from all sides of the education issue need to read this book. It is well designed and dispels many of the criticisms often presented during arguments (debates). Of course, with any statistical data, one can find faults, but Bracey does a pretty good job of covering all his bases.Even if you disagree with Bracey and others who think the education system is just being attacked, you should read this book. At least then, you will avoid embarrassing yourself by making ludicrous statements.