Downey, Douglas B
How Schools Really Matter: Why Our Assumption about Schools and Inequality Is Mostly Wrong
- ISBN 13:
- 9780226733227
- author:
- Downey, Douglas B
- format:
- Paperback / softback
- publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2020
- Pages:
- 176
- Dimensions:
- 21 x 13.3 centimeters (0.24 kg)
- Genre:
- Nonfiction, Education, Administration,
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 10 working days
Description
Schools are often seen as the primary source of inequality in American education. However, research suggests that this assumption is misplaced. In "How Schools Really Matter", Douglas B. Downey argues that schools do not exacerbate achievement gaps, but rather help to level the playing field. The testing data reveals a surprising pattern: achievement gaps in reading skills between high- and low-income children are largely formed prior to kindergarten. Schools play a significant role in reducing these gaps, particularly during school periods, rather than increasing them. So why do politicians advocate for school reform? It's often because discussing broader social and economic reforms has become too challenging. Downey outlines the kinds of reforms that make sense given what we know about inequality outside of schools. He suggests that more exposure to education, increased standardization, and better teacher measurements could help address these issues.
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