Learning from L.A.: Institutional Change in American Public Education - Softcover

Kerchner, Charles Taylor; Menefee-Libey, David J.; Mulifinger, Laura Steen; Clayton, Stephanie E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1934742023 ISBN 13: 9781934742020

Verlag: Harvard Educational Publishing Group, 2008

Inhaltsangabe

Drawing on a four-year study of the last 40 years of education reform in Los Angeles,Learning from L.A. captures the sweeping change in American education. It puts forth a provocative argument: while school reformers and education historians have tended to focus on the success or failure of individual initiatives, they have overlooked the fact that, over the past several decades, the institution of public education itself has been transformed.

Colorful characters, dramatic encounters, and political skirmishes enliven this rich account of the wrenching transformations that took place in the Los Angeles Unified School District from the 1960s onward. The book focuses particularly on four key ideas that emerged through a succession of reforms beginning in the 1990s—decentralization, standards, school choice, and grassroots participation. Though the particular plans that gave rise to these ideas may have faded, the ideas themselves have taken root and developed in ways that those who inaugurated or participated in these reforms never anticipated."

Winner of Outstanding Academic Title, Choice

“Districts in Research and Reform” Publication Award, American Educational Research Association

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Charles Taylor Kerchner is a research professor at Claremont Graduate University.David J. Menefee-Libey is professor of politics and coordinator of the Program in Public Policy Analysis at Pomona College.Laura Steen Mulfinger is a doctoral candidate at Claremont Graduate University. Stephanie E. Clayton is a doctoral student at the University of Southern California.

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Learning from L.A. captures the sweep of institutional change in American education. Drawing on a four-year study of the last 40 years of education reform in Los Angeles, it puts forth a provocative argument: while school reformers and education historians have tended to focus on the success or failure of individual initiatives, they have overlooked the fact that, over the past several decades, the institution of public education itself has been transformed.

Colorful characters, dramatic encounters, and political skirmishes enliven this rich account of the wrenching transformations that took place in the Los Angeles Unified School District from the 1960s onward. The book focuses particularly on four key ideas that emerged through a succession of reforms beginning in the 1990s decentralization, standards, school choice, and grassroots participation. Although the particular plans that gave rise to these ideas may have faded, the ideas themselves have taken root and developed in ways that those who inaugurated or participated in these reforms never anticipated.

This is an important book by seasoned analysts of education reform. Their grounded, long-term perspective provides insights that gets our thinking out of the weeds and provides clarity about where urban education reform has been and where it is going. Jane Hannaway, Director, Education Policy Center, Urban Institute

Learning from L.A. provides a detailed analysis of a system in transition. The authors make a fine distinction between reform projects and systemic, institutionalized reform movements both of which are necessary to propel deep-rooted, dynamic education reform. They identify initiatives that can be the springboard for widespread institutional transformation. This account of a changing school system, with its focus on grassroots politics and processes, will prove particularly useful to both educators and policy-makers. It is a refreshing reminder of the challenges of urban education reform. Peter McWalters, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

Learning from L.A. is both an outstanding political history of educational reform and a first-class, theoretically sophisticated analysis of how institutions change. Mark Blyth, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University

Charles Taylor Kerchner is a research professor at Claremont Graduate University.David J. Menefee-Libey is professor of politics and coordinator of the Program in Public Policy Analysis at Pomona College.Laura Steen Mulfinger is a doctoral candidate at Claremont Graduate University. Stephanie E. Clayton is a doctoral student at the University of Southern California.

Aus dem Klappentext

Learning from L.A. captures the sweep of institutional change in American education. Drawing on a four-year study of the last 40 years of education reform in Los Angeles, it puts forth a provocative argument: while school reformers and education historians have tended to focus on the success or failure of individual initiatives, they have overlooked the fact that, over the past several decades, the institution of public education itself has been transformed.

Colorful characters, dramatic encounters, and political skirmishes enliven this rich account of the wrenching transformations that took place in the Los Angeles Unified School District from the 1960s onward. The book focuses particularly on four key ideas that emerged through a succession of reforms beginning in the 1990s--decentralization, standards, school choice, and grassroots participation. Although the particular plans that gave rise to these ideas may have faded, the ideas themselves have taken root and developed in ways that those who inaugurated or participated in these reforms never anticipated.

"This is an important book by seasoned analysts of education reform. Their grounded, long-term perspective provides insights that gets our thinking out of the weeds and provides clarity about where urban education reform has been and where it is going." -- Jane Hannaway, Director, Education Policy Center, Urban Institute

"Learning from L.A. provides a detailed analysis of a system in transition. The authors make a fine distinction between reform 'projects' and systemic, institutionalized reform movements--both of which are necessary to propel deep-rooted, dynamic education reform. They identify initiatives that can be the springboard for widespread institutional transformation. This account of a changing school system, with its focus on grassroots politics and processes, will prove particularly useful to both educators and policy-makers. It is a refreshing reminder of the challenges of urban education reform." -- Peter McWalters, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

"Learning from L.A. is both an outstanding political history of educational reform and a first-class, theoretically sophisticated analysis of how institutions change." -- Mark Blyth, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University

Charles Taylor Kerchner is a research professor at Claremont Graduate University. David J. Menefee-Libey is professor of politics and coordinator of the Program in Public Policy Analysis at Pomona College. Laura Steen Mulfinger is a doctoral candidate at Claremont Graduate University. Stephanie E. Clayton is a doctoral student at the University of Southern California.

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Harvard Educational Publishing Group
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2008
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1934742023
• ISBN 13: 9781934742020
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 290
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Nicht verfügbar