Lessons from Privilege – The American Prepschool Tradition - Hardcover

Powell, Arthur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674525493 ISBN 13: 9780674525498

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1997

Synopsis

In 1996, around 10,000 tax dollars will put a child through many public schools for a year. About 10,000 private dollars will put him through prep school. Why then, is one system troubled and the other thriving, one vilified and the other celebrated? In this book, a historian of education searches out the lessons that private schooling might offer public education as cries for school reform increases. "Lessons from Privilege" explores a tradition shaped by experience and common sense, and guided by principles that encourage community, personal relationships and high academic standards. These "basic" values make a profound difference in a time when popular culture, which mocks intellectual curiosity and celebrates mental passivity, competes so successfully for students' attention. Arthur Powell uses the experience of private education to put the whole schooling enterprise in fresh perspective. He shows how the sense of schools as special communities can help instill passion and commitment in teachers, administrators and students alike - and how passion and commitment are absolutely necessary for educational success. The power of economic resources, invested fully in schools, also becomes pointedly clear here, as does the value of incentives for teachers and students. Though the concerns this book brings into focus - for decent character and academic literacy - may never be trendy or easily applied, "Lessons from Privilege" presents ideas for enhancing the humanity and dignity of education in America.

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Review

Powell explores the distinct traditions of independent schools that have made them so successful over the years. There are lessons here for independent schools, but the author hopes these lessons will also be useful in shaping public school reform. At the heart of the book is Powell's argument that the sense of community at independent schools instills passion and commitment in the students, faculty, and administration--and that this commitment is at the heart of a good education. Citing recent research findings clearly and persuasively, Powell asserts that troubled public school systems can use 'private school-like' strategies such as team teaching and intensive college counseling to rejuvenate their programs. Extracts from interviews with students and private school staff members enliven this popularly written narrative, which will have strong appeal for lay parents as well as educators. rejuvenate their programs. Extracts from interviews with students and private school staff members enliven this popularly written narrative, which will have strong appeal for lay parents as well as educators. favor private schools over their public counterparts. But with this peek into the world of educational advantage, he also acquaints readers with principles that can enliven any school. This is a scholarly piece that is easy on the eyes. This book will rank with Powell's earlier work, The Shopping Mall High School, as a classic on American schools. [Powell] unveils the inner workings of tradition that seemingly favor private schools over their public counterparts. But with this peek into the world of educational advantage, he also acquaints readers with principles that can enliven any school. This is a scholarly piece that is easy on the eyes. Powell's title and theme reach for a wider audience than the relatively small one found in independent schools..."Lessons from Privilege" is refreshing in its candor. This book will rank with Powell's earlier work, "The Shopping Mall High School," as a classic on American schools. [Powell] unveils the inner workings of tradition that seemingly favor private schools over their public counterparts. But with this peek into the world of educational advantage, he also acquaints readers with principles that can enliven any school. This is a scholarly piece that is easy on the eyes.

From the Back Cover

In this book, a renowned historian of education searches out the lessons that private schooling might offer public education as cries for school reform grow louder. Arthur Powell uses the experience of private education to put the whole schooling enterprise in fresh perspective. He shows how the sense of schools as special communities can help instill passion and commitment in teachers, administrators, and students alike - and how passion and commitment are absolutely necessary for educational success. The power of economic resources, invested fully in schools, also becomes pointedly clear here, as does the value of incentives for teachers and students.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0674525493
• ISBN 13: 9780674525498
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 300