Trapped in Mediocrity

Why Our Schools Aren't World-Class and What We Can Do About It

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Educational Theory, Educational Reform
Cover of the book Trapped in Mediocrity by Katherine Baird, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Katherine Baird ISBN: 9781442215498
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Publication: August 9, 2012
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Language: English
Author: Katherine Baird
ISBN: 9781442215498
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication: August 9, 2012
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Language: English

Our students aren’t learning, we’re falling behind other countries, and many of our college graduates are even functionally illiterate. We offer our kids a weak and poorly thought out curriculum; too many teachers do not make good use of classroom time and follow lesson plans that are superficial and repetitive; almost all state governments define “proficiency” at low levels of competency; and because kids with very uneven skills populate a classroom, teachers spend considerable time on review before introducing new material. This dismal picture is tempered by the fact that the hard work and dedication of countless teachers and administrators means that many students get an excellent education. But it doesn’t temper it much. As a group, even our top students are not as strong as are those in a large majority of other rich countries.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Katherine Baird, an economist, starts by clearly spelling out how our educational system is trapped in mediocrity. Yet, she doesn’t just expose where we are. She identifies the steps to get out of the trap. We need to (1) dramatically reform our education’s governance structure, (2) establish high expectations for all students, (3) provide adequate support to meet those expectations, and (4) introduce strong incentives for students to work hard in school so they do their part in meeting higher standards. Clearly, it isn’t as simple as it sounds, but Baird carefully examines each factor that has led to the current state in education and then spells out how a combination of policies will weaken the forces that keep our schools mediocre and instead make them ones worth copying

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Our students aren’t learning, we’re falling behind other countries, and many of our college graduates are even functionally illiterate. We offer our kids a weak and poorly thought out curriculum; too many teachers do not make good use of classroom time and follow lesson plans that are superficial and repetitive; almost all state governments define “proficiency” at low levels of competency; and because kids with very uneven skills populate a classroom, teachers spend considerable time on review before introducing new material. This dismal picture is tempered by the fact that the hard work and dedication of countless teachers and administrators means that many students get an excellent education. But it doesn’t temper it much. As a group, even our top students are not as strong as are those in a large majority of other rich countries.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Katherine Baird, an economist, starts by clearly spelling out how our educational system is trapped in mediocrity. Yet, she doesn’t just expose where we are. She identifies the steps to get out of the trap. We need to (1) dramatically reform our education’s governance structure, (2) establish high expectations for all students, (3) provide adequate support to meet those expectations, and (4) introduce strong incentives for students to work hard in school so they do their part in meeting higher standards. Clearly, it isn’t as simple as it sounds, but Baird carefully examines each factor that has led to the current state in education and then spells out how a combination of policies will weaken the forces that keep our schools mediocre and instead make them ones worth copying

More books from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Cover of the book Music Education in the Caribbean and Latin America by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Legendary Sports Writers of the Golden Age by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Exponential Technologies by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Rethinking Library Technical Services by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Patristic and Medieval Atonement Theory by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Understanding and Implementing Inclusion in Museums by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Introducing Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, and Romances by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Beyond the Ballpark by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Iran Divided by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Choosing Partnership, Sharing Ministry by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Islam, Oil, and Geopolitics by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Grounds for Agreement by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book The African American Experience in Vietnam by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book Completing the Circle by Katherine Baird
Cover of the book The Century of Women by Katherine Baird
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy