Public Education―America's Civil Religion: A Social History - Softcover

Bankston, Carl L.; Caldas, Stephen J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0807749478 ISBN 13: 9780807749470

Publisher: Teachers College Press, 2009

Synopsis

In this provocative volume, the authors argue that public education is a central part of American civil religion and, thus, gives us an unquestioning faith in the capacity of education to solve all of our social, economic, and political problems. The book traces the development of America’s faith in public education from before the Civil War up to the present, exploring recent educational developments such as the No Child Left Behind Act. The authors discuss how this faith in education often makes it difficult for Americans to think realistically about the capacities and limitations of public schooling.

Bringing together history, politics, religion, sociology, and educational theory, this in-depth examination:

• Raises fundamental questions about what education can accomplish for the citizens of the United States.
• Points out that many supposedly opposing viewpoints on public education actually arise from the same root assumptions.
• Exposes the gaps between our pursuit of equity in schools and what we really accomplish with students.
• Looks at ways in which education can be organized to serve a diverse population.

About this title

Book Description:

“An extraordinarily sensible interpretation... I could not agree with them more.”
—
Christine H. Rossell
, Professor of Political Science, Boston University

From the Author:

Carl L. Bankston III is professor and chair in the Department of Sociology and co-director of the Asian Studies Program at Tulane University. Stephen J. Caldas is professor of education in the Department of Foundations, Leadership, and Policy Studies at Hofstra University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Teachers College Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0807749478
• ISBN 13: 9780807749470
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 216