Defying Standardization: Creating Curriculum for an Uncertain Future

Defying Standardization pierces the veil of misinformation surrounding the push to standardize the curriculum expectations for 56 million public school children. It provides a high energy, passionate, and, well-researched argument of what curriculum should and can be to facilitate the development of unstandardized skills and dispositions necessary for a globally connected society. Defying Standardization dismantles the myths and lies surrounding international test rankings and demonstrates that there is no relationship to economic indicators or skills that drives the innovation economy. The book provides practical examples for how educators, students, and parents can defy standardization with locally developed, evidence-informed, and globally literate practices to facilitate the development of customized curricula. This book is for those who yearn for a vibrant, innovative, and creative school system in which all students are provided opportunities to pursue their passions and interests in ways that will prepare them to be well-rounded individuals and democratic citizens in a global community.

Christopher Tienken is an associate professor of education leadership, management, and policy. His other books include The School Reform Landscape: Fraud, Myth, and Lies and Education Policy Perils: Tackling the Tough Issues. Follow him on Twitter @christienken.