A Parent's Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century

A Parent's Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century: Navigating Education Reform to Get the Best Education for My Child

“RUSS WALSH’S BOOK IS A DISTILLATION OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM FROM AN ACTUAL EXPERT IN THE FIELD. THIS IS ESSENTIAL READING FOR ANY PARENT, TEACHER, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, ADMINISTRATOR OR ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE U.S. EDUCATION SYSTEM.” – STEVEN SINGER, AUTHOR OF “GADFLY ON THE WALL: A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER SPEAKS OUT ON RACISM AND REFORM”

About the Book

What is a parent to make of the current narrative about public education in the United States? We hear that our public schools are mediocre at best and dysfunctional and unsafe at worst. We hear politicians and pundits arguing that the country will fall behind economic competitors like China and Japan, if our schools do not improve. We hear education reformers, well-funded by corporate lions like Bill Gates and the Walton family, suggesting a smorgasbord of solutions from school choice to more rigorous standards and from increased standardized tests to test-based teacher accountability.

What is education reform and how will it impact schools, children and parents? What are charter schools and should I send my child to one? What is the impact of standardized testing on my child? Should I opt my child out of standardized testing? How can I make sure my child gets a good teacher? What does good reading and writing instruction look like? How should technology be used in the schools and at home?

A Parent’s Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century is written to answer these questions and help today’s parents sort through the weeds of educational reform to make informed decisions designed to get the best possible education for their children. The book starts from the point of view that public education is a vital institution, central to our democracy and economic independence, and then suggests ways that parents can not only get the best of education for their own children, but also support policies that will make the institution of public education stronger for future generations.

Interview with Author Russ Walsh

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Book Reviews

“Russ Walsh’s Parent’s Guide is a must read for any parent who is trying to make the best educational decision for their children. It is a clear, thoughtful response that will give parents wisdom, confidence and ease. Walsh is not only a professional, life-long educator, he is a beautiful writer whose style is thoughtful, clear and easy to read. A Parent’s Guide is the best guide for anyone who cares about public schools.” – Carol Corbett Burris, Executive Director of the Network for Public Education.

Extremely well-written, extremely organized and understandable, A Parent’s Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century is essential for every parent. – Feathered Quill Book Reviews

“Russ Walsh is a knowledgeable, insightful critic of the dogmatic school reformers who are driving American education back toward the 19th century instead of ahead into the 21st. His analyses are on par with those of Diane Ravitch, David Berliner, Yong Zhao … “- Dr. Don Ambrose, Editor, the Roeper Review

“A clear, concise parent’s guide to school in the age of education reform. In a discussion that has been characterized by a great deal of heat, Russ Walsh sheds some light and cuts through the fog of propaganda and PR. This is a clear, fair guide to what is in the best interests of your child, and what is just baloney. Best of all, in a discussion that is filled with questions about what’s best for the nation, Walsh helps parents answer the most important question—what’s best for my own child?” – Peter Greene, Author of the bookCurmudgucation: What Fresh Hell, Author of the “Curmudgucation” andEducation Week Teacher “View from the Cheap Seats” blogs

“Russ Walsh’s new book is a distillation of years of experience and wisdom from an actual expert in the field. This is essential reading for any parent, teacher, school board member, administrator or anyone who cares about the U.S. education system.” – Steven Singer, Pennsylvania educator and public school advocate.

“Russ Walsh’s book arrived today by special delivery. That’s just what this book is: a special delivery to parents everywhere who want to be advocates for their kids in this confusing climate of so-called school reform. Mr. Walsh has touched a nerve! I thank him for showing up and speaking up to provide measured perspective and important research. This book is a winner!” – (five stars) Amazon

“This book is what is needed in education right now. It is a parent friendly book that explains all the ins and outs of the school system and helps parents advocate for their children. It is a great read for teachers too and can be a great resource to share at Back to School Night or parent meetings. A great read that I highly recommend!” – (five stars) Amazon

“The book begins with a Bill of Rights for School Children…which should be posted in every public school in the nation. For teachers, he identifies best practices. For parents, he describes what a good school and good instruction ought to look like. He includes informative chapters on standardized tests, the privatization of public education, and the Common Core. A must read.” – (five stars) Amazon

More 5-star Amazon Reviews

For more great 5-star reviews visit A Parent’s Guide to Public Education in the 21st Century on Amazon.

Book News, Russ Walsh, Garn Press NewsGarn PressApril 11, 2021