The Failed Promise of the American High School, 1890-1995

Download or read book The Failed Promise of the American High School, 1890-1995 written by David L. Angus and published by Teachers College Press. This book was released on 1999 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This provocative new study of the American high school examines the historical debates about curriculum policy and also traces changes in the institution itself, as evidenced by what students actually studied. Contrary to conventional accounts, the authors argue that beginning in the 1930s, American high schools shifted from institutions primarily concerned with academic and vocational education to institutions mainly focused on custodial care of adolescents. Claiming that these changes reflected educators' racial, class, and gender biases, the authors offer original suggestions for policy adjustments that may lead to greater educational equality for our ever-growing and ever more diverse population of students.