Abstract

Conservatives, liberals, and radicals alike see education as a pivotal forum for the struggle over the fulfillment of American Dreams. Eleanor Smeal, Phyllis Schlafly, Russell Kirk, and Henry Giroux, among others, vie for acceptance of their theories on major issues in American education. The essays, which are by well-known authors, are written with clarity, honesty, and authority.... The book will make an excellent supplementary text for graduate or upper-division undergraduate courses in the social foundations of education. Choice Conservatives, liberals, and radicals alike see education as a pivotal forum for the struggle over the fulfillment of American Dreams. Eleanor Smeal, Phyllis Schlafly, Russell Kirk, and Henry Giroux, among others, representing contrasting points of view, vie for acceptance of their theories on the major issues in American education: religion in public schools; computers in the classroom; sex education; the proper role of teachers (technician, professional, or intellectual); vocationalism versus critical education. This rare opportunity to examine the divisions, and the surprising overlaps, between the perspectives of this country's policy makers and idea formulators brings a major and important perspective to the current educational debate and the future of education, for scholars and students alike.