Angry Parents, Failing Schools: What's Wrong with the Public Schools & What You Can Do about It

As a parent who was having doubts about the curriculum and instructional methods in our schools, I read this book from cover to cover in one night. Elaine McEwan strips the candy coating off such methods as multiage classrooms, School-to-Work, whole language, and Every Day math and exposes them for what they are: viruses that are invading our schools and failing our children. This book not only helps parents identify the problems in their schools, it also gives great advice on how to work at making changes - from dealing with school board members that ignore the facts to listing dozens of websites where parents can get more information. Elaine cuts through the educational jargon used by school officials and writes in a way that is easily understood by all. I urge all parents to read this book - you will be enlightened and empowered by the experience!

Our town could be the model for this book. The detrimental effects of whole language, creative spelling, and now "fuzzy" math (NCTM endorsed program) are causing parental concern and consternation. Parents are told they are uninformed and older curriculum will not teach your child the "skills he needs for the 21st century" and "just trust us" is the watchword of the day. Our superintendent forms Task Forces and Study Committees then packs them with teachers, administrators and PTO parents (who serve as his foot soldiers) to arrive at his predetermined solutions. No honest disagreement is allowed,dissenters are to be personally attached! All the while achievement test scores are falling! American Education grades K-12 is sinking like the Titanic, and sadly those educators trusted to guide the ship have crashed it headfirst into that iceberg. Our children are failing because our educators are more interested in "Feelings" and "Fads", rather than educational excellence. Well documented scientific research is dismissed as mere opinion and parents with advanced scientific degrees "just don't understand todays child centered learning". Every parent must read this book and take action to protect their children! Dr. McEwan strips away the phony veneer of progressive education and exposes the incompetence of todays educrats and curriculum.

As a parent who knew instinctively that something was amiss at my kids' public school, but didn't have the information handy at the time to help me name the problems, I highly recommend Angry Parents, Failing Schools by Elaine McEwan.This book, written by a teacher/principal/asst.superintendent, explains the progressive methodology which has led our schools into the tank via whole language, fuzzy math, inventive spelling, etc. She describes in "real person" language the federal education programs, the education establishment's mindset, and the philosophy behind the ill-conceived programs they are promoting.All parents should have this book to help them understand the current controversial educational landscape in America. Parents will discover the source of that vague uneasiness, or downright frustration so many of us experience each year that our children are in school. And because Angry Parents, Failing Schools was written by an educator, it is not only powerfully credible, but encourages positive action to help heal our public schools. This is a must read for all parents.

Most parents with children in public schools will tell you that they have heard all kinds of horror stories about other public schools around the country, and they are so relieved that their child's school is not doing any of that bad stuff! This is the enigma that Elaine McEwan effectively addresses in her book. How can this untested, ineffective education be happening all over and yet most parents do not realize that it is being practiced on their children as well? This book correctly indicates that the answer lies in the rhetoric that public school administrators use to placate concerned and caring parents. If one term or phrase is perceived by administrators as possibly upsetting parents, they will redefine parent-friendly words (such as high expectations, phonics, rigorous curriculum, critical thinking, real world problems) and use them to describe the progressive curriculum they are implementing. It is a clever and very effective way of silencing any parent who might be moved to voice concerns and to keep all other parents happy because they like the sound of the programs. As this book points out, it is not until a parent starts looking beneath the surface of the curriculum that the real substance of the program becomes apparent. I would recommend this book to be read by everybody with any connection to public education - parents, students, teachers, administrators and board members. Until we all recognize the truth about public schools, as Elaine McEwan (a former public school administrator) outlines in her book, there will be no resolution to the education debate. The resolution to this debate will only occur when the truth is clearly stated and parents are given the ability to choose the type of curriculum that will best educate their children. Thank you, Ms. McEwan, for writing the truth. By the way, many of these progressive reforms are alive and well in Wheaton!

INITIAL COMMENTS ON: "ANGRY PARENTS, FAILING SCHOOLS" by Elaine McEwanI have completed a first read of this book, and I think there is an excellent chance for it to become a "best seller." Dr. McEwan does a great job of explaining many of the concerns voiced by parents in user-friendly language.Consider the chapter titles: "Reality Check" "The Customer is Never Right?" "Where Did the Schools Go Wrong?" "The Reading Wars" "Is the 'New Math' Really Fuzzy" "Other Educational Viruses in Schools" "Fifty Plus Things You Can Do"Those alone say a mouthful about the on-target character of this book.Some of the things I really liked:"Tales from the Trenches" are liberally salted throughout the book. These make the points more relevant to common members of the public.There is extensive identification of web sites. Many are good research sources.There is a great history of the development of Progressive Education, short and readable. "Progressivism" is nicely compared to traditional education, as well. The reading wars and the NCTM math deficiencies receive excellent coverage.There are sources for tests that parents can have individually administered to their children to get around the inadequacies of some current state testing programs.The book is directed at non-educators, and terms are very nicely explained in everyday language. A large percentage of the public can read this book and understand the problems with little, if any, extra help.There is an extensive listing of things parents and citizens can do to get active in the education discussions.And a whole lot more.This book is a wonderful reference source. The many subjects covered in "Angry Parents, Failing Schools" are well indexed. All are beautifully clear and accurate descriptions that can be easily understood and quoted.I strongly recommend this book. It should be liberally supplied to legislators, school board members, and anyone else you can think of.