This course investigates recent efforts to reform schools in the age of accountability. With advances in technology, changes in educational leadership, and the United States’ declining position in global education, our public school system has adopted dozens of methods to close the racial, economic, and subject-based achievement gaps. We will review popular reformists and their methods including Teach for America, KIPP Academies, and Harlem Children’s Zone. In all instances, we will pay close attention to if, how, and for whom these reform efforts are (in)effective. (Not offered 2024-25).

Prerequisite: Education 370, Education 375, Education 380 or Education 385.

1 unit

Previously Featured Offering

Education Reform

Oct. 2015
Instructor: Manya Whitaker

Education Reform investigates recent efforts to reform K-12 public schools. Students will analyze and question the methods adopted by U.S. public systems that are aimed to close various achievement gaps. The purpose of the course is to understand how these "fixes" are ineffective.

This course investigates recent efforts to reform K-12 public schools in the age of accountability. With advances in technology, changes in educational policies, and the United States’ declining position in global education, our public school system has adopted dozens of methods to close the racial, economic, and subject-based achievement gaps. This course is focused on the analysis of education reform efforts, paying particular attention to the empirical evidence and myths about K-12 student performance that incite reform movements. We will also identify the feasibility and purpose of reform efforts given the sociopolitical context of public schooling. Students will leave the course with a firm understanding of what it takes to “fix” American schools and why those fixes are ineffective.

No offerings are currently scheduled.