Political leadership and educational failure

the long version

In this work, Seymour Sarason takes a penetrating look at the ways in which our political leaders, no matter how well intentioned, so often frustrate school improvement - and what must change if they are to instead advance it. Sarason calls on political leaders to ask the important questions: Why has the expenditure of billions of dollars had such disappointing consequences? Why do apparently successful educational innovations not spread to other schools in the same district, and often not even to other classrooms in the same school? Why is it that as students go from elementary to middle to high school they become increasingly bored and indifferent? What do we know about the adequacy of the programs that prepare educators? Asking these and other vital questions, Sarason contends, is the first step politicians must take toward solving the problems in our educational system. Addressing some of the most critical realms of school reform, including testing, race, learning, teacher preparation, and the creation of charter schools, Sarason analyzes missed opportunities and points out the ways in which our political leaders - from the president on down - can take action and more effectively spearhead educational change.