Pros: well written, eye opening look at public schools
Cons: nothing
The Bottom Line: A must read for anyone in the education or social work field. It is a truly shocking and eye opening book about the realities of inequalities within schools.
daisymae76's Full Review: Jonathan Kozol - Savage Inequalities: Children in ...
This book is an eye opening look at the public school system throughout the United States. It takes a look at the schools in 6 cities such as St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Chicago. I was shocked to read about the conditions in some of these schools and appalled at how it is allowed.
I am just starting my credential program to become an elementary school teacher. In my very first class, we were required to read this book. It completely blew me away. Kozol gives a very descriptive and unbiased view at schools in a few cities. He compares schools from the poor side of town to the schools across town where the wealthier children attend. He explains how schools in the very same district receive unequal funds because the districts refuse to invest money into the very places that need it the most.
One of the scenes that sticks out most in my head is his chapter on East St. Louis. East St. Louis is populated by predominately black low income families. The streets have drug dealers by day and prostitutes at night. The schools are falling apart with peeling paint, leaking ceilings, and crowded classrooms. Children learn in basements, bathrooms, and hallways. Meanwhile, a few miles across town, wealthy white children are being bussed to spacious clean schools with tennis courts. What shocked me most was that on the poorer side of town there are sewage plants and factories. Every week there is a spill and sewage spills into the school. Children are just sent home for a couple days until it is cleaned up. I couldn't believe that the public and people in government allow this to happen. No one intervenes. In fact, they argue against putting any money into these distressed schools.
This book exposes the very sad reality that despite the laws passed so long ago, there are still schools that are separate but not equal. There are many examples and stories that clearly illustrate this injustice. What amazes me is how Kozol is able to go into these cities and find so many people to trust him and give him so much information. He is obviously a very wonderful man to go into these cities and get children, drug dealers, and overworked principals to open up to him in such an honest way.
I recommend this book to any one who is in the field of education. It is excellent and interesting reading that will you inspire you to make a difference.
National Book Award-winning author Jonathan Kozol presents his shocking account of the American educational system in this stunning New York Times bes...More at HotBookSale
National Book Award-winning author Jonathan Kozol presents his shocking account of the American educational system in this stunning New York Times bes...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.