Michael Klonsky – författare

When education activists in New York, Chicago, and other urban school districts in the 1980s began the small-schools movement, they envisioned a new kind of public school system that was fair and equitable and that encouraged new relationships between teachers and students. When that movement for school reform ran head-on into the neo-conservative takeover of the Department of Education and its No Child Left Behind strategy for school change, a new model of federal power bent on the erosion of public space and the privatization of public schooling emerged. Michael and Susan Klonsky, educators who were among the early leaders of the small-schools movement, tell the story of how a once-promising model of creating new small and charter schools has been used by the neocons to reproduce many of the old inequities. Small Schools is the engaging story of what happens when the small-schools movement meets the Ownership Society.

When education activists in New York, Chicago, and other urban school districts in the 1980s began the small-schools movement, they envisioned a new kind of public school system that was fair and equitable and that encouraged new relationships between teachers and students. When that movement for school reform ran head-on into the neo-conservative takeover of the Department of Education and its No Child Left Behind strategy for school change, a new model of federal power bent on the erosion of public space and the privatization of public schooling emerged. Michael and Susan Klonsky, educators who were among the early leaders of the small-schools movement, tell the story of how a once-promising model of creating new small and charter schools has been used by the neocons to reproduce many of the old inequities. Small Schools is the engaging story of what happens when the small-schools movement meets the Ownership Society.

From the contributors: "Small schools provide a context in which social relations between and among youth and adults, school and community, parents and teachers, and among educators are imbued with respect, reciprocity, and commitments to a larger common good."—Michelle Fine"There are a host of irrefutable reasons why small schools are the easiest, most economical, and wisest single school reform idea around."—Deborah Meier"Instead of the distrust and hostility which typically characterizes parent-teacher relations, small schools make it possible for parents and teachers to work together through their recognition of their common interests in providing for the education and well being of children."—Pedro Noguera"Small schools have the potential to be powerful places for students to learn and for adults to grow and flourish . . .to be communities where social justice is practiced, not just talked about."—Nancy MohrWritten by major players in the small schools movement, this collection of essays points to the ways school restructuring strategies connect to the ongoing pursuit of social justice. The editors bring together writers who are both educators and advocates for youth and who think changing schools can help change the world. Building bridges to their fellow educators, these essayists make powerful arguments in favor of smaller school size as an achievable reform goal.