An Education of Value

'It is rare to read a book that is so passionate in its commitment to public education and its successes and honest about its troubles. Now that public officials have taken the necessary first steps toward the reform of education, it would do them well to read this intelligent cautionary tale about how to avoid repeating the mistakes that doomed past reform efforts. There are no easy formulas in An Education of Value, and much that is controversial. But it is precisely this sort of provocative and thoughtful analysis, rich with historical insights, that is necessary to stimulate further movement to revitalize public education and ensure both excellence and equity.' Albert Shanker, American Federation of Teachers

• Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgments; Part I. Recurring Priorities, Recurring Tensions: 1. The expectations of schooling; 2. New curriculum, old issues; Part II. The Purposes of Schooling: 3. Equality and inequality; 4. Learning and excellence; Part III. Learning and Teaching: 5. Computers and learning; 6. The promise of teaching; 7. Thinking about reform; Notes; Index.