EdSpeak and Doubletalk

The debate over public schools has become highly politicized, featuring movements dedicated to privatizing public schools and diminishing teacher professionalism. People who had long treasured their local public schools are now being told that our nation’s schools are “failing,” that we are not preparing children for “the global economy.” Many of these purveyors of doom and gloom are working to disrupt public schools and have created their own purposely deceptive vocabulary to assist their efforts. In this important book, Ravitch and Bailey decipher and demystify the new language of education. They describe the key terms and groups currently embroiled in the corporate fight besieging schools. EdSpeak and Doubletalk is an essential resource for anyone seeking to gain deeper awareness and understanding about the fight for public education. It is also an excellent text for any university class that deals with teaching, educational administration, and policymaking.

Book Features:

• Guides readers through the thickets of jargon and hype that often become sales pitches to unwary consumers.
• Exposes organizations and programs that are branded with positive promotional names but are often harmful to the most disadvantaged students.
• Shines a light on the language related to practices that are seriously endangering democratic public schools and the teaching profession.
• Includes an online glossary of new terms that will be updated by the authors.

Diane Ravitch is a research professor of education at New York University, a historian of education, blogger (dianeravitch.net), and bestselling author. She is the founder and president of the Network for Public Education (NPE). Nancy E. Bailey is an education blogger (nancyebailey.com), author, and longtime public school teacher in the area of special education. She has also taught teachers at the college level and is an advocate for safe school facilities.

“ EdSpeak and Doubletalk clarifies the many terms used daily in education while providing a clear look into the intersection of politics and public schools.”

—AASA School Administrator

“This glossary provides excellent and accurate definitions of the educational terms common to our times. Novice educators, school board members, and parents of school-age children can all use this book to decode the specialized vocabulary of this profession. In addition, the authors are unapologetically strong believers in our public schools, and it shows, making this book much more valuable. This is a glossary with an attitude, and because of that, I endorse it even more strongly.”
—David C. Berliner, Regents’ Professor of Education Emeritus, Arizona State University

“A lively review of terminology, with surprisingly deep definitions that help us understand the fast-changing landscape of our schools and those working for and against them.”
—Anthony Cody, educator, author, and cofounder of Network for Public Education

“EdSpeak and Doubletalk is so much more than a glossary of education terms. Diane Ravitch and Nancy Bailey masterfully unveil the deception, duplicity, schemes, and profit motives behind the moneyed interests that strive to control education policies and privatize public education for profit.”
—Laura Bowman, board of directors, Parents Across America

Contents (Tentative)

Acknowledgments 

Introduction 

1. The Arts  

2. The Brain and Education 

3. Charter Schools and Choice  

4. Court Cases, Policy, and Government Agencies  

5. English Language Learners  

6. Groups Fighting Corporate “Reform” 

7. Model Learning Programs, Theories, and Schools  

8. Movies with a Message  

9. Public Schools and Democracy  

10. School Administration and Funding  

11. School Reform Groups and Terms, or “Money Talks”  

12. School Reform Practices  

13. Separation of Church and State  

14. Social and Racial Justice or Injustice  

15. Special Education  

16. Teacher Preparation, Accreditation, and Practice  

17. Technology  

18. Testing, Achievement, and Standards  

Index 

About the Authors 

Download online supplement here

Please check back soon, when updates will be available.