ABSTRACT

There are dozens of myths surrounding educational reform today, maintaining the school’s role in economic competitiveness, the deficiency of teachers, the benefits of increased testing, and the worthiness of privatization. In this volume, the editors argue that this discussion has been co-opted to reflect the values and worldviews of special interest groups such as elites in power, politicians, corporate educational foundations, and the media. Prominent educational writers tackle contemporary issues such as neoliberalism, suburban schooling, charter schools and parental involvement. They expose the "logic behind the talk" and critically examine these problematic beliefs to uncover meaningful improvements in education which are better grounded in the social, economic, political and educational realities of contemporary society.

chapter |19 pages

Demythologizing Educational Reforms

30 Years Since A Nation at Risk

chapter 2|14 pages

The Neoliberal Myth

Narrative Resistance to Democratic Education

chapter 3|34 pages

Class Struggle and Education

Neoliberalism, (Neo)-Conservatism, and the Capitalist Assault on Public Education—A Marxist Analysis

chapter 5|17 pages

An Inquiry into the Myth of Neutrality

Curriculum and Pedagogy in an Age of Terrorism

chapter 6|13 pages

Deceptive Data

How the Corporate Reform Movement Uses Standardized Tests to Achieve the Neoliberal Agenda

chapter 7|16 pages

Behind the Common Core Standards Movement

OECD'S PISA and Global Education Policy

chapter 8|20 pages

Charter Schools

Appearance Versus Essence

chapter 10|13 pages

From K to EdD

Understanding the Cycle of Compliance and Teacher Education's Complicity in Neoliberal School Reform

chapter |12 pages

Afterword

Implications and Discussion