It's All About Learning: The Struggle in Choosing Traditional Public Education or Privatization is a reckoning with the contemporary struggle over choice about learning in public education. The future for learning depends on choice aligned with one of two major perspectives: traditional public education or privatization education. The profound implications of this struggle are too important to focus on gadgets, technology, and adult-centric intentions, also known as "chasing rabbits." Instead, this book examines the purpose, intentions, and consequences of the perspectives battling for control of learning and teaching. When this conflict is resolved, a choice for learning will emerge: how to think or what-to-think. Who will write the narrative for the history of the future of US public education that best serves all students and the democracy in which they live? A reckoning with the struggle over choice about learning is past due. This book makes it clear that the time has come for traditional public educators to bypass the marketplace of privatization education and prioritize student-centric learning in traditional US public education.
Jeff Swensson is a veteran educator whose service in schools throughout the Midwest ranged from elementary school teacher to superintendent. He is the co-author of five previous books that focus on the essential role of traditional public education.
An important read! This book provides rich history, context, and thoughtful insight about U.S. public education in the wake of free market educational choice initiatives that diminish public schools. Dr. Swensson's book exposes the truth behind choice models, which are motivated by private interests and pose a destructive force to the future of US public education as a common good for all.--Lori Boyland, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership, Ball State University Dr. Jeff Swensson reveals and explores both antecedents and implications of the struggle between student-centric education and adult-centric education for some. Choice between these two perspectives will determine the future of teaching and learning in America. This book offers a definitive perspective: students and democracy win if traditional public education is chosen.--Scott Robison, PhD, Superintendent, Zionsville (IN) Schools Dr. Swensson is a thoughtful and passionate advocate for the value of public education in the U.S. In this book, he explains in a clear and convincing way how public education truly serves the public good. We are fortunate to have Swensson's voice as part of this important conversation. Those concerned with the future of our nation would do well by listening carefully.--Andrew Klein, JD, Interim Chancellor, Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis Jeff Swensson is a passionate and ardent supporter of public education. He exhorts us to "enter the struggle to choose the primary purpose of U.S. public education...now." He is a leader in initiating the discussion of "history as the future narrative for public education." This work is a call to service for all who understand and value the worth of traditional public schools.--Wally Bourke, PhD, Retired Superintendent, Professor of Educational Leadership, Indiana University
