Setting the Record Straight: Responses to Misconceptions About Public Education in the United States

By Gerald W. Bracey

Book Overview

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 description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871202794
• ISBN13: 9780871202796
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Assn for Supervision & Curriculum
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.8" x 6.3"

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.