Publics for Public School

Authored by Abowitz, Kathleen Knight

"Knight Abowitz offers a theoretically rich and ethically attuned call to renew and reimagine the public dimensions of public schooling as a means to enhance both educational efficacy and social justice. In this endeavor, the book is a remarkable success and should find a broad and interested readership. It will make especially valuable reading for scholars, educators, and engaged citizens." --Teachers College Record “Every now and then that rare book comes along which is so ambitious in its aspirations, so rigorous in its analysis, and so polished in terms of its command of the research literature that it should be read not just by educators, not just by parents, but by everyone. Kathleen Knight Abowitz has written a tour de force on the eve of the 100th anniversary of John Dewey's Democracy and Education that establishes new standards for all of us who are concerned about the future of American schools and our democracy." --Dennis Shirley, Professor of Education, Boston College “At a time when many Americans increasingly see U.S. public schools as merely centralized government-run institutions, Kathleen Knight Abowitz intriguingly envisions them functioning in deeply public ways. She excites us with the possibilities of communities that come together in deliberation tosupport their schools, shape their educational goals, and ensure desirable and equitable education of all children. She invites us to form publics for public schools, an achievement which will engage ourcommunities and strengthen our schools. Knight Abowitz offers a terrific account of affirming and building the publicness of our schools and it begins with all of us.” --Sarah Stitzlein, University of Cincinnati "In an age in which we need to relearn the meaning of democracy, citizenship, and the purposes of public schooling, Kathleen Knight Abowitz's book provides a nuanced and accessible road map. Every aspiring educational leader should read this book." --Gary Anderson, Professor of Educational Leadership, NYU

• Chapter 1 Where Is the Public in Public Schooling?; Chapter 2 The Problem of Legitimacy; Chapter 3 The Publics of Public schools; Chapter 4 Publics; Chapter 5 Community Organizing; Chapter 6 Deliberative Democracy and Public Schools; Chapter 7 Public Leadership for Public schools, Steven R. Thompson, Kathleen Knight Abowitz; aft Afterword;