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The American Moment: From the Common School to No Child Left Behind

Charles Reed

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Published in America S Public Schools: From The Common School To No Child Left Behind (The American Moment)

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The American education system has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two centuries. From the humble beginnings of the common school to the high-stakes testing regime of No Child Left Behind, the American education system has been a constant source of debate and reform. In his book, From the Common School to No Child Left Behind: The American Moment, historian David Tyack provides a comprehensive and engaging account of this transformation.

America's Public Schools: From the Common School to "No Child Left Behind" (The American Moment)

by William J. Reese

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	808 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	474 pages

Tyack begins his book by examining the origins of the common school in the early 19th century. He argues that the common school was not simply a product of the Enlightenment ideal of universal education, but was also a product of the specific social and economic conditions of the United States. The common school was designed to provide basic literacy and numeracy skills to the children of immigrants and working-class Americans.

Tyack then traces the development of the American education system through the 20th century. He examines the rise of the high school, the Progressive Era reforms, and the post-World War II era of educational expansion. He argues that each of these eras was marked by its own unique set of challenges and opportunities.

The final section of Tyack's book focuses on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. Tyack argues that No Child Left Behind was a radical departure from previous education reforms. It was the first time that the federal government had imposed such a sweeping set of standards and assessments on the nation's schools.

Tyack concludes his book by arguing that the American education system is at a crossroads. He argues that the No Child Left Behind Act has failed to live up to its promise of improving student achievement, and that it has created a system of high-stakes testing that has narrowed the curriculum and stifled creativity.

Review

From the Common School to No Child Left Behind is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of American education. Tyack provides a clear and concise account of the major developments in American education over the past two centuries. He also provides a thoughtful and nuanced analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing the American education system today.

Tyack's book is not just a history of American education. It is also a meditation on the American character. Tyack argues that the American education system is a reflection of the American people's hopes and dreams for their children. He also argues that the American education system is a reflection of the American people's fears and anxieties about the future.

From the Common School to No Child Left Behind is a timely and important book. It is a book that will help us understand the challenges and opportunities facing the American education system today.

About the Author

David Tyack is a professor of education at Stanford University. He is the author of several books on the history of American education, including The One Best System: A History of American Urban Education and Seeking Common Ground: Public Education in a Pluralistic Society.

Book Details