Schools of Thought: How the Politics of Literacy Shape Thinking in the ClassroomThe new literacy goes beyond the requirements for a high school diploma, including capacities once demanded only of a privileged, college-bound elite. This book concerns this new, higher literacy and whether current educational restructuring efforts are likely to foster such literacy in all students. The study used informal interviewing techniques and examined classrooms for evidence of nine general climate indicators conducive to a literacy of thoughtfulness. The first chapters focus on rural America, especially the Deep South, where teachers are educating children to leave their communities. The third chapter describes education on an Indian reservation, where the colonial model is waning. Chapter 4 describes the conflicts and contradictions in a troubled, but typical urban school district unintentionally engaged in undermining literacy efforts. Chapter 5 broadens the notion of "policy environment" and describes the contributions of a governor, a legislature, a state school board, and a district judge. Chapter 6 describes a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, school district that is addressing serious problems in positive ways. The next chapter describes the Toronto (Ontario, Canada) School District, where the most advanced form of literacy thoughtfulness is occurring. Chapter 7 tells how local and provincial policies sustain this literacy, and chapter 8 sums up findings from all the schools, districts, states, and Canadian provinces visited. The book contains an index and a bibliography of 214 references. (MLH) |
Contents
Back to Basics in the Rural South | 1 |
HandMeDown Literacy | 31 |
Language and Culture on the Reservation | 59 |
Copyright | |
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achievement active learning administrators Alan Davis American answers approach basal readers basic skills believe child classroom create creative critical thinking culture curriculum Daviston dents desegregation develop discussion Education Commission environment Etobicoke evaluation experience goals going grade guidelines high school higher literacy Hispanic ideas instruction integrated interest Jim Harris kids kinds language leaders learners literacy of thoughtfulness look math means middle school move Native American nomic NUPS objectives observed Ontario opportunities parents percent Pittsburgh political practice primary school principal problem solving Public Schools questions reading responsibility Rexford G Richard Wallace says Schenley school board school districts school reform sentence social studies Southland staff standards story superintendent talk teachers teaching tell tests things thinking skills tion tional told Tony trying urban districts writing