Setting the Record Straight

Myths About Public Education

Myth #1: "The United States spends more money on its public schools than any other nation in the world." SEE FACTS

Myth #2: "Money doesn't matter. Don't throw money at schools." SEE FACTS

Myth #3: "During the 1980s, expenditures for public education rose by 34 percent (in real dollars), but test scores were static... In the last 25 years, spending on public schools has risen by 100 percent, but test scores are flat." SEE FACTS

Myth #4: "SAT scores have plummeted." SEE FACTS

Myth #5: "The proportion of students scoring very high on the SAT has plummeted." SEE FACTS

Myth #6: "Kids don't know as much as they used to." SEE FACTS

Myth #7: "It doesn't matter if kids know more today than they did 20 years ago; what matters is what they know compared with what German and Japanese kids know, and in those comparisons, they don't know much." SEE FACTS

Myth #8: "The dropout rate is awful and getting worse." SEE FACTS

Myth #9: "Private schools get better results than public schools." SEE FACTS

Myth #10: "Choice is the only answer/Charter schools are the solution." SEE FACTS

Myth #11: "Lousy schools are producing a lousy work force, and that is killing us in the global marketplace." SEE FACTS

Myth #12: "Schools are not preparing students for work." SEE FACTS

Myth #13: "We have or will have a shortage of scientists, mathematicians and engineers."SEE FACTS

Myth #14: "School productivity is being smothered by an administrative blob."SEE FACTS

Myth #15: "Teachers should be accountable for their students' test scores."SEE FACTS

Myth #16: "Students who go into teaching are dumber than those who go into other fields." SEE FACTS

Myth #17: "Educators are spending too much time teaching kids to feel good about themselves and not enough time teaching academics." SEE FACTS

Myth #18: "Schools are spending too much money on special education."SEE FACTS

Synopsis from ASCD
Setting the Record Straight: Responses to Misconceptions About Public Education in the United States (book)
Gerald W. Bracey
The author tells readers how to respond effectively to 18 common criticisms of the public schools. Bracey does not argue that U.S. schools are perfect. Nor does he attempt to address all the troublesome issues concerning education today. He discusses those criticisms that can be refuted with available evidence: plummeting SAT scores, rising dropout rates, poor showings in international comparisons, and 15 other myths. Bracey opens the door to an acknowledgment of the schools' real accomplishments and a constructive discussion of their weaknesses. Includes index. 6" x 9" paperback, 216 pp. Gerald W. Bracey received a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. Address: 3333 Helen St., Alexandria, VA 22305-2627. Phone: 703-519-0735.
Stock # 197020
Price (member) $16.95 (non-member) $20.95
Availability February 1997 Premium member book
ISBN 0-87120-276-X

Back to Resources

libertygp@aol.com

Thanks for being visitor #