Ellen Condliffe Lagemann - Böcker

Since its beginnings at the start of the 20th century, educational scholarship has been a marginal field, criticized by public policy makers and relegated to the fringes of academe. An Elusive Science explains why, providing a critical history of the traditions, conflicts, and institutions that have shaped the study of education over the past century.

The Carnegie Corporation, among this country's oldest and most important foundations, has underwritten projects ranging from the writings of David Riesman to Sesame Street. Lagemann's lively history focuses on how foundations quietly but effectively use power and private money to influence public policies.

"Foundations are socially and politically significant, but this simple fact . . . has mostly been ignored by students of American history. . . . This collection represents an important contribution to an emerging field." —Kenneth Prewitt, Social Science Research Council

Sponsored by the National Academy of Education's Commission on theImprovement of Education Research It has been a decade since the National Academy of Education lastissued a review of education research. This new volume arrives at acritical time for our nation's schools. More than twenty prominentscholars provide an overview of the tensions, dilemmas, issues, andpossibilities that currently characterize education research. Theyexamine the state of education research, discuss how it is changingand where it needs to go, and reveal how the results ofresearch--whether good or bad--have become key drivers ofeducational policy and practice. This revelation raises importantquestions about standards for sound research and training forfuture researchers. Issues in Education Research is a valuablereference for the more than 40,000 college faculty members whostudy schooling and prepare tomorrow's teachers.

At a time when higher education attendance has never felt more mandatory for career success and economic growth, the distinguished contributors to this provocative collection ask readers to consider the civic mission of higher education as equally vital to the nation's well-being. Should higher education serve a greater public interest? In what ways should colleges and universities be asked to participate in public controversies? What should we expect institutions of higher education to contribute to the development of honesty and ethical judgement in the civic sphere? What should colleges do to foster greater intellectual curiosity and aesthetic appreciation in their students and communities, and why is this important for all Americans?

At a time when higher education attendance has never felt more mandatory for career success and economic growth, the distinguished contributors to this provocative collection ask readers to consider the civic mission of higher education as equally vital to the nation's well-being. Should higher education serve a greater public interest? In what ways should colleges and universities be asked to participate in public controversies? What should we expect institutions of higher education to contribute to the development of honesty and ethical judgement in the civic sphere? What should colleges do to foster greater intellectual curiosity and aesthetic appreciation in their students and communities, and why is this important for all Americans?