Ebook: Improving Education in the US : A Political Paradox

So many studies have been carried out, so many experimental schools have shown success, and so many special interests have stood in the way of making real changes. Voters, reformers, and those who lead public opinion need to know more about what has been tried, what has worked, what has failed, and why; and how it is that other countries sometimes out-perform our schools. The author considers the genesis of public schools in the United States, various aspects of public education systems from elementary school through university, trends in education and reform, and issues that still need to be addressed. The book contains information about public and private organizations, think tanks, institutions, and governmental bodies involved in public education reform. The author shows that the existing approaches to improve education are based on the same foolish idea that as long as the government spends enough on education, improvement is sure to follow. The bond between education and politics hinders progress in education. The problems facing schools as well as the recommended solutions are considered. The author believes that multiple research attempts to improve the functioning of the existing education system has failed to bring any tangible results because experts in system analysis, operation research and optimal theory, who are able to approach complex problems, were excluded from this process. He uses his knowledge in these areas to explain what should be done for educational progress to become reality.