Defending Public Education

"In Defending Public Education, Jeff Swensson firmly establishes himself as one of the great educational thought leaders of the 21st century and champion for traditional public education. Throughout his prior books, and achieving a triumphant denouement in this one, Swensson demonstrates that the purpose of education is to teach students not what-to-think but rather how to think on behalf of the common good. In so doing, Swensson debunks the popular antagonistic voices that claim authenticity simply because they speak loudly and at great length. A ""must read"" for all who believe in public education. --Michael Shaffer, associate professor of Educational Leadership - Clinical, Ball State University, Indiana In Defending Public Education, Jeff Swensson offers a crystallizing lens on the latest ideologically motivated attacks against traditional public education. Whereas the aim of ""traditional"" public education in a pluralistic society is to equip students for civic engagement in a diverse and uncertain world that demands of them agility and openness, this increasingly strident partisan movement seeks to manufacture the illusion of stability at the cost of truth, intellect, and inclusion--mainly by constraining what students are exposed to and how they are asked to think or not think about it. Swensson compellingly articulates this ideological divide, decodes the partisan rhetoric, and shows how profound the stakes of this struggle are for the future of our democracy. --Diane Shane Fruchtman, PhD, associate professor of religion, Rutgers University Jeff Swensson shares the purpose of public education that reveals the intention to create a level playing field for all students in this country who will be leaders and innovative contributors in our society. Dr. Swensson exposes the groups who are trying to undermine public education using falsehoods and myths. This book exposes the truth behind the veil of ""parental rights"" and discusses how this smokescreen creates a scenario in which adults win and students lose. Defending Public Education engages the reader with the dangers inherent in the attack on our public schools and explains why the defense of public education is critical to the open futures and intellectual autonomy that all students deserve. --Anne Duff, Ft. Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees, member; Indiana Coalition for Public Education, secretary Public education has never faced so many threats and attacks. Under the guise of ""parental rights"" and ""reform,"" the enemies of public education seek to defund, demoralize, and destroy our most important public institution. Senior scholar and former public school administrator Dr. Jeff Swensson explains the full scope of these assaults and provides an insightful path forward. If you seek to fully understand what is at stake in the battle for quality, inclusive public education, Defending Public Education is a must-read. --Daphne Elliot, Brookside Middle School teacher International Baccalaureate Program, Sarasota, Florida"