Overview

A revolutionary proposal for a conceptual and organizational framework for US public education that benefits all citizens. In Educational Pluralism and American Democracy, education policy expert Ashley Rogers Berner envisions a K–12 education system that serves both the individual and the common good. Calling for education reform that will enable US public schools to fulfill the longstanding promise of American education, Berner proposes a radical reimagining of both the structure and content of US public school systems. She urges policymakers to embrace educational pluralism, an internationally common model in which the government funds diverse types of schools that deliver more universal content. Providing an incisive assessment of democratic education throughout the world, Berner argues that educational pluralism can build students’ exposure to diverse viewpoints and shared knowledge within distinctive school communities. She shows how pluralism steers a middle path that enables equitable access, promotes academic excellence, and avoids the zero-sum games that characterize US education policy. Pluralism, she observes, will ultimately serve democracy by defusing polarization and increasing social mobility, political tolerance, and civic engagement. In this thought-provoking proposal, Berner lays out a roadmap for big-picture reform, expertly delineating the mechanisms through which educational norms can change. A practical conclusion describes concrete moves that advocates can pursue to garner support and advance new legislation.

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9781682538951

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Reviews

"""[Berner] has become the most persuasive ally of educational pluralism in America. We would all be wise to listen to her, whether we agree with her or not.""--Jonathan Zimmerman, Education Next ""Berner's must-read book demands America have a new conversation on public education. Do we have the courage to abandon the dominant, single system of government schools and move toward a publicly funded, yet more diverse universe of public, private, and parochial schools that are held accountable to common assessments and a body of knowledge necessary to preserve a healthy democracy? For the sake of our nation's social cohesion, I hope we heed her counsel to broaden educational delivery while mandating the curricular objectives all children must learn.""--Ian Rowe, senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute, and founder and CEO, Vertex Partnership Academies ""In Educational Pluralism and Democracy, Berner grapples with fundamental questions about the roles of families and the state in shaping US schools. Regardless of where readers stand on these questions, they will appreciate her thoughtfulness and eloquence in exploring what is 'public' about public education.""--Jon Valant, director, Brown Center on Education Policy, Brookings Institution"

"""Berner's must-read book demands America have a new conversation on public education. Do we have the courage to abandon the dominant, single system of government schools and move toward a publicly funded, yet more diverse universe of public, private, and parochial schools that are held accountable to common assessments and a body of knowledge necessary to preserve a healthy democracy? For the sake of our nation's social cohesion, I hope we heed her counsel to broaden educational delivery while mandating the curricular objectives all children must learn.""--Ian Rowe, senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute, and founder and CEO, Vertex Partnership Academies ""In Educational Pluralism and Democracy, Berner grapples with fundamental questions about the roles of families and the state in shaping US schools. Regardless of where readers stand on these questions, they will appreciate her thoughtfulness and eloquence in exploring what is 'public' about public education.""--Jon Valant, director, Brown Center on Education Policy, Brookings Institution"

Author Information

Ashley Rogers Berner is director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and associate professor of education.

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