Every once in a while, with the passage of time, a classic book takes on even greater relevance. The first edition of
Democratic Schools was praised by legions of education professionals for showing how to create schools and classrooms with democratic values in mind; it was hailed for its clear-eyed assessment of the important role schools continue to play in promoting democracy, its traditions, and its thinking. Now an expanded and updated edition of
Democratic Schools arrives, increasingly relevant in a time of inequitable accountability-based reform, standardized assessments, and cookie-cutter curricula. Michael Apple and James Beane return to challenge reform movements such as No Child Left Behind by asserting that our schools have a vital and historic connection to the continued success of our democratic way of life.
Democratic Schools, Second Edition, shows in detail how educators can make a lasting difference by combining authentic, important lessons and a consistent, building- or system-wide focus on a critical and democratic education. Apple and Beane once more convene seven of Americas most creative democratic educators for a powerful conversation about how to build an education that is worthy of our highest ideals.
The essays that made the first edition so potent are here in their entirety, each followed by brand-new retrospective insight from their writers, educators who have proven that teachers and administrators can bring the nations most noble values to life every day. Contributors include:
- Michael W. Apple
- James A. Beane
- Bob Peterson
- Brian D. Schultz
- Barbara L. Brodhagen
- Larry Rosenstock
- Adria Steinberg
- Deborah Meier
- Paul Schwarz.
Grounded in a robust understanding of democracy, education, and the exigencies of our political and social systems, the second edition of Democratic Schools goes beyond updating and expanding the stories of the schools it originally chronicled. It adds new materialincluding a brand new chapter from Apple and Beanethat provides crucial lessons for creating and sustaining democratic schools, and that once again inspires teachers, administrators, and educational leaders to adopt ways of framing their mission that can create and sustain our democratic way of lifeeven in these difficult times.
A former classroom teacher, James A. Beane currently divides his time between his position as a professor at National-Louis University and as a school reform coach at Sherman Middle School in Madison, Wisconsin. He is the author of Curriculum Integration (1997), A Middle School Curriculum (1993), and Affect in the Curriculum (1990). He is also coauthor of Democratic Schools (1995), The Middle School and Beyond (1992), When the Kids Come First (1987), Self-Concept, Self-Esteem COMMA and the Curriculum (1986), and Curriculum Planning and Development (1986). Additionally, he was co-editor ONE WORD of Democratic Schools; and edited the 1995 ASCD Yearbook Toward A Coherent Curriculum. Beane has spoken at numerous conferences, has consulted for international educational projects, and served in leadership capacities for several education professional associations.
