Publisher Description

School Wars examines the Religious Right's challenge to public education--from concerns about sex education to attempts to restrict specific works of literature and textbooks. It takes an objective look at such subjects as the current conflict concerning the role of fundamentalism, the so-called religion of secular humanism, the state of public education, and global education and multiculturalism.

Drawing on their combined backgrounds of religious study and practice, as well as years of experience working in the field of education, the authors present research in educational theory and practice, highlight important court cases, and draw on philosophical and religious studies to reveal a foundation for understanding world views at issue. School Wars offers educators, community leaders, and parents a better way to understand and respond to the differing world views that lie at the center of this ongoing debate.

Back Cover

"It takes a whole village to educate a child--unless the villagers disagree. This cogent analysis of our contemporary disagreements about the role of religion and values in education makes it clear that unless rapprochement takes place, the village public schools will disappear." --David C. Berliner, professor of curriculum and instruction and professor of psychology in education, College of Education, Arizona State University, Tempe"School Wars is a catalyst for those truly seeking common ground around the issues of purpose and governance of public schools. Must reading for educators, parents, and community members looking to make sense of the emotions and conflicts within our schools." --Cile Chavez, educational consultant and former superintAndent, Littleton Public Schools, ColoradoSchool Wars takes an objective look at the controversy surrounding religion and education, and offers educators, community leaders, and parents a better way to understand and respond to the differing world views that lie at the center of this ongoing debate.

Flap

"It takes a whole village to educate a child--unless the villagers disagree. This cogent analysis of our contemporary disagreements about the role of religion and values in education makes it clear that unless rapprochement takes place, the village public schools will disappear." --David C. Berliner, professor of curriculum and instruction and professor of psychology in education, College of Education, Arizona State University, Tempe"School Wars is a catalyst for those truly seeking common ground around the issues of purpose and governance of public schools. Must reading for educators, parents, and community members looking to make sense of the emotions and conflicts within our schools." --Cile Chavez, educational consultant and former superintAndent, Littleton Public Schools, ColoradoSchool Wars takes an objective look at the controversy surrounding religion and education, and offers educators, community leaders, and parents a better way to understand and respond to the differing world views that lie at the center of this ongoing debate.

Author Biography

BARBARA B. GADDY, an education consultant and communications specialist, is a member of the executive committee of the Colorado Language Arts Society. T. WILLIAM HALL is an ordained Methodist minister, religion scholar, and professor emeritus at Syracuse University. ROBERT J. MARZANO, who spent four years as a monk with the Christian Brothers of Ireland, is a trainer for the Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory.

Table of Contents

Part One: The Challenge to Public Education
1. The Current Conflict
2. School Critics: Who Are They?
3. The Great Conspiracy: Secular Humanism and the New Age
4. Strategies and Tactics
Part Two: School Reforms Under Attack
5. The State of Public Education
6. School Improvement Initiatives
7. Literature and Curricula
Part Three: Understanding Our Differences
8. A Matter of Worldviews
9. Religious Traditions
10. Philosophical Perspectives
11. Church and State
Part Four: What Educators Can Do
12. Teaching Religion in Public Schools
13. Responding to Parental and Community Concerns
14. The Community at Work

Long Description

"It takes a whole village to educate a child--unless the villagers disagree. This cogent analysis of our contemporary disagreements about the role of religion and values in education makes it clear that unless rapprochement takes place, the village public schools will disappear." --David C. Berliner, professor of curriculum and instruction and professor of psychology in education, College of Education, Arizona State University, Tempe"School Wars is a catalyst for those truly seeking common ground around the issues of purpose and governance of public schools. Must reading for educators, parents, and community members looking to make sense of the emotions and conflicts within our schools." --Cile Chavez, educational consultant and former superintAndent, Littleton Public Schools, ColoradoSchool Wars takes an objective look at the controversy surrounding religion and education, and offers educators, community leaders, and parents a better way to understand and respond to the differing world views that lie at the center of this ongoing debate.

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