Staying in Control; or, What Do We Really Want Public Education to Achieve?

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  • Author(s): Tamir, Yuli
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Educational Theory. Aug 2011 61(4):395-411.
  • Publication Date:
    2011
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Descriptive
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      17
    • Education Level:
      Elementary Secondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Public Education; Role of Education; Human Capital; Educational Change; Access to Education; Equal Education; Public Support; Barriers; Fear; Power Structure; Sustainability; Social Structure
    • Subject Terms:
      United States
    • Accession Number:
      10.1111/j.1741-5446.2011.00411.x
    • ISSN:
      0013-2004
    • Abstract:
      In this essay, Yuli Tamir argues that the growing interest in public education in the developed world in general and in the United States in particular is grounded in a fear of losing global hegemony. The most rational approach to slowing down these hegemonic shifts is to empower public education and allow the neglected human capital vested in presently excluded communities to flourish. However, moves to improve public education are met by the unspoken though persistent resentment of those who fear the transformative power of education and would like to preserve the present social order. Here Tamir reviews some of the moves commonly taken to preserve these "social gaps" and concludes by suggesting that alongside vocal public support for school reforms promoting equal opportunities, silent yet very effective social strategies have developed that undo the benefits of such reforms and maintain the present social gaps.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2011
    • Accession Number:
      EJ934883