Contested Classrooms: Education, Globalization, and Democracy in Alberta - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0888643152 ISBN 13: 9780888643155

Publisher: University of Alberta Press, 1999

Synopsis

Education has become a battlefield, the classroom the arena where the contest is fought. The 1997 Ontario teachers' strike, the federal government's Millennium Scholarship, and a wave of protests across the country are among the signals that the war is heating up. Alberta stands as a Canadian model of radical education reform, propelled by economic necessity. But is all reform necessarily right or good?-and who decides? A range of commentators-teachers, scholars, parents, and others-discuss the conflict in Alberta's schools.

About this title

About the Author

Trevor W. Harrison is a Professor in the Sociology Department, University of Lethbridge, and former Director of the Parkland Institute. His areas of specialization include Canadian society, political economy, and public policy. Jerrold (Jerry) Kachur (1955-2020) was a professor of international political economy, social theory, and political philosophy. He taught undergraduate courses in the sociology of education and graduate courses in social theory and education, development theory and education, research methodologies, and policy analysis and education.

From the Back Cover

Alberta Stands as a model of radical education reform in Canada. Standardized exams, school accountability, lean budgets, and 'market' choice are rapidly transforming the nature of education in the province.

But reform is not necessarily right or good, especially if undertaken without the consultation of those most affected by it.

Contested Classrooms looks at Alberta's program of education reform within the larger context of globalization. Harrison and Kachur bring together a range of analysis of the sweeping changes to Alberta's public education system. Contributors examine the issues from many angles: from the perspectives of teacher, principals, parents, students, and the community at large.

They also pose some important questions. In particular, what is the purpose of education? Whose interests does it serve?

This book looks at the historical changes in education, the politics of educational change in Alberta, and the real out comes of re-organizing Alberta's schools. The editors call passionately for patient debate and discussion, before the stakes of this contest get too high.

Contested Classrooms is and essential volume for parents, teachers, and anyone concerned about the future of education.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Alberta Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0888643152
• ISBN 13: 9780888643155
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232
• Editor: Harrison Trevor W., Kachur Jerrold