Book Reviews

Book cover of "Confessions of a School Reformer," by Larry Cuban

A Pessimistic View of Public-School Reform

In urban historian Larry Cuban’s view, corporations drive the action

Palatial Schools for the Progressive era

C. B. J. Snyder built “grand municipal architecture full of promise and hope”
Book cover of "The Real World of College" by Wendy Fischman and Howard Gardner

A Research-Based Case For Transforming College

2,000 interviews precede recommendations for improved onboarding, mental health
Cover of The Debt Trap by Josh Mitchell

Drowning in Debt

Profiles of mega-borrowers spotlight broken student-loan policy
"Attic Black-Figure Hydria," Lykomedes Painter, Athens, Greece, 520–510 B.C.

Victory in “Battle of Classics” Could Save Civilization, Book Says

A defense of the humanities against the dominance of science
Book cover of "Teaching Machines" by Audrey Watters

The Quest for an “Automatic Teacher”

A compelling narrative marred by flawed commentary
Book cover of "Sludge" by Cass R. Sunstein

In “Sludge,” Sunstein Shines a Light in the Bureaucratic Darkness

Can "sludge audits" or a presidential order ease the paperwork burden that is hurting American schools?
Book covers of "The Tyranny of Merit" and "The Aristocracy of Talent"

The Merits of Meritocracy

Does it expand opportunity or entrench privilege?
Book cover of "Scripting the Moves"

No Excuses, Revisited

A thoughtful but dated criticism of “no excuses” schools

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