This volume summarizes the findings of one of the most comprehensive looks yet taken at how public schools function. Based on his “Study of Schooling"--an investigation of 1,016 classrooms, 1,350 teachers, 8,624 parents, and 17,163 students conducted over a number of years--Mr. Goodlad describes and reflects upon the significance of the similarities and differences uncovered in the schools his research team analyzed, including their curriculum, school-community relations, use of class time, and teachers’ attitudes, characteristics, and methods of instruction. While he finds some virtues in schools as they are now, Mr. Goodlad also contends that they are “in trouble” and in need of fundamental restructuring as a result of broad social changes and requirements over which they have had little control. The proposed elements of that restructuring are enumerated in the final two chapters of this volume. Mr. Goodlad is professor of education and former dean of the University of California at Los Angeles’s graduate school of education.
Paideia Problems and Possibilities: A Consideration of Questions Raised by The Paideia Proposal, by Mortimer J. Adler on behalf of the members of the Paideia Group (Macmillan Publishing Company, 866 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022; 127 pages, cloth $7.95, paper $3.95).
An attempt to clarify the misunderstandings and answer the questions raised by The Paideia Proposal, this book addresses the issue of how the original proposals might be implemented. Mr. Adler outlines the objectives of the first book and answers questions about the recommended curriculum framework, the roles of computer literacy and extracurricular activities, charges of elitism, the inclusion of state-mandated courses and competency standards, and the methods of financing, among others.
Successful Teacher Evaluation, by Thomas L. McGreal (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 225 North Alexandria St., Alexandria, Va. 22314; 173 pages, paper $8.75).
The controversy surrounding teacher evaluation is caused not by the concept itself, but by the process, suggests the author of this book for evaluators, teachers, and other educators. Mr. McGreal analyzes the role of teacher evaluation as a tool for improving instruction and provides a framework for assessing and changing current systems. Section I describes the components of effective evaluation systems. Section II presents more specific ways to evaluate teachers and focuses on ingredients of effective systems. And Section III analyzes effective implementation strategies. Mr. McGreal is associate professor of educational administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Guides and Directories
Peace Child: A Study Guide for Schools, by David Woolcombe (The Peace Child Foundation, P.O. Box 33168, Washington, D.C. 20033; 193 pages, paper $12.50).
The world’s survival depends on the ability of adults to teach children “the ways of peace,” according to the authors of this guide for teachers of 4th- through 12-grade students. To accomplish that goal, the author presents a play within a play which highlights the story of two children as they grapple with the issues of peace, nuclear war, diplomacy, the Presidency, and U.S.-Soviet relations. Includes a script, musical scores, ideas for discussion topics, and suggestions for follow-up activities. A teacher’s guide and accompanying cassette tape are also available from the foundation.
Reducing Functional Literacy: A National Guide to Facilities and Services, by Rhonda Kadavy, Carlton Moore, and Donna Hunzeker (Contact Literacy Center, Contact Inc., P.O. Box 81826, Lincoln, Neb. 68501; 179 pages, paper $12).
The resources necessary for countering the growing problem of illiteracy are available today, claim the authors of this guidebook. In their directory, they list the names, addresses, and phone numbers of national, state, and local organizations that run programs and services to increase literacy in the U.S. and Canada. Many of the listings provide information on the programs’ costs and hours, eligibility requirements, and specific services offered.
The Young People’s Yellow Pages: A National Sourcebook for Youth, by Alvin Rosenbaum (Public Affairs Research & Communications Inc., 3103 South St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007; 320 pages, paper $8.95).
A resource book for teen-agers, parents, and guidance counselors that provides information on national programs, organizations, and services related to career planning, colleges, health, juvenile justice, money, politics, and religion. Includes facts and statistics on these and other subjects of importance to young people, and appropriate names, addresses, and phone numbers of agencies to contact for further information.
Other Resources
A Children’s Defense Budget: An Analysis of the President’s FY 1984 Budget and Children (Children’s Defense Fund, 122 C St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001; 265 pages, paper $10).
Maintaining that all American children should have enough food, shelter, clothing, education, and health and child care, that all families should be able to receive help when they are in trouble, and that the federal government should guarantee basic necessities for children if their families cannot, the authors of this book attack what they call the unfair budget cuts of the current Administration and document how they have harmed children. They describe the areas of budget-cutting in detail, offer arguments that the civil rights of minority children and families have been curtailed, and argue for passage of a bill proposed by the Children’s Defense Fund that promotes key programs for Fiscal Year 1984. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of groups working on child-welfare issues are included in the appendix.
A Legal Primer for Independent Schools, by Albrecht Saalfield (National Association of Independent Schools, 18 Tremont St., Boston, Mass. 02108; 71 pages, paper $9.50).
Designed to be a “desk reference” for independent-school administrators, staff members, and trustees, this book provides information on the field of independent-school law and suggests guidelines for dealing with situations that require a knowledge of applicable laws. Covering such potential legal concerns as the dismissal of faculty members, accident liability, age and sex discrimination, and minority rights, the book provides examples and includes a glossary of legal terms.--Anne Bridgman
