Members Discuss The Teacher Wars

Members of the RFArea REA began the new year with a great discussion of Dana Goldstein's book, The Teacher Wars.  A historical survey of the history of teaching in America--and the controversies that often surrounded and continue to confront the teaching profession.  The book commences with the earliest schools in our country.  As Ethel Johnson observed, it was good to be reminded that the founding documents of the federal government do not mention universal education as one of the country's core values.  Instead, educating children was the responsibility of local citizens, towns, and states.

Goldstein points out that the "feminization" of the teaching profession was an early development in this country, primarily as a cost saving measure since women could be paid much less than men, could devote themselves more fully to the job, and were seen as educational missionaries being sent west to "civilize" the frontier, south to educate freed slaves, and to the cities filled with new immigrants to shape new citizens.

The book provides a good introduction to the formation of teachers' unions, the controversies between the world wars regarding left-leaning teachers seen as communist threats, and the important roles teachers played in the age of Sputnik.

Goldstein also examines the growing attention on assessments, standardized test, value-added evaluation of students, and other recent developments catching students, teachers, and administrators in the wake of A Nation at Risk, No Child Left Behind, and Race to the Top.

The discussion was again lively and informative.  Cheryl Maplethorpe taped the discussion, at the request of some members unable to attend today's conversation, and it will be shown at some point soon on the River Falls local access television station.

Those present at today's discussion agreed that we would like to join in on the River Falls Reads activities and read the book it has chosen this year.

We will meet again on March 4, 2015, at 10:30 in the River Falls Public Library to discuss Ben Logan's The Land Remembers:  A Story of a Farm and Its People.  Ruth Wood observed that it is a very well written book, the author insightful, and the content about more than just sentimental recollections of rural life in southwestern Wisconsin.  Bernie Brohaugh assures us that he will read the book because he is, after all, a farm boy himself.

For those of you who grew up on a farm, have taught kids from the farm, or are just looking for a good read, join us for the next discussion.  It will be held in the Main Floor Meeting Room (the first room immediately to your right in library entrance before entering the library gate).