The American republic will survive only if its citizens are
educated--this was an article of faith of its founders. But seeking
common civic ground in public schools has never been easy in a
society where schoolchildren followed different religions, adhered
to different cultural traditions, spoke many languages, and were
identified as members of different "races."
In this wise and enlightening book, filled with vivid characters
and memorable incidents that make history but don't always make
history books, David Tyack describes how each American generation
grappled with the knotty task of creating political unity and
social diversity.
"Seeking Common Ground" illuminates puzzles about democracy in
education and chronic conflicts that continue to make news.
Americans mistrusted government, yet they entrusted the civic
education of their children to public schools. American history
textbooks were notoriously dull, but they were also highly
controversial. Although the people liked local control of schools,
educational experts called it "democracy gone to seed" and
campaigned to "take the schools out of politics." Reformers argued
about whether it was more democratic to teach all students the same
subjects or to tailor curriculum to individuals. And what was the
best way to "Americanize" immigrants, asked educators: by
forced-fed assimilation or by honoring their ethnic heritages?
With a broad perspective and an eye for telling detail, Tyack
lets us see that debates about the civic purposes of schools are an
essential part of a democratic culture, and integral to its
future.
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