LibGuides: Education Reform: Primary Sources

Primary Sources

COM Library has some great collections of primary sources. Primary sources are records created at the time of an event or experience, or as told by people who were present at the event. Must access on campus or login with your COM account for off campus access.

Want more on finding primary sources? Try Tips for Finding Primary Sources or Tips for Finding Primary Sources Open Access.

The School in the United States : A Documentary History The School in the United Statescollects the essential primary documents of the history of education in the United States, from Colonial America to present-day reform efforts. Expertly chosen by historian and education scholar James Fraser, these documents incorporate a wide range of sources, from first-person accounts to textbook excerpts and presidential speeches. As Fraser demonstrates, the history of American education is also a history of national debates and decisions about schooling, and he places the prominent voices of these debates in conversation through carefully curated selections, including the work of famous thinkers like Thomas Jefferson and W.E.B. Dubois, as well as that of ordinary classroom teachers. Organized by era, each chapter begins with a brief introduction intended to spark student interest, while a detailed bibliography suggests opportunities for further research. The School in the United Statesis comprehensive enough to be used as a main text, but selective enough to be used alongside another while making key readings in the history of American education accessible in a format that encourages students to make their own evaluations as they engage with major historical debates. Updates to this third edition include: * Additional materials on current educational issues including the Common Core State Standards, educational philanthropy, and increased school privatization and vouchers. * Online resources that include a full Instructor's Manual and sample syllabi, available at www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415832472.
Teachers, Leaders, and Schools : Essays by John Dewey by John Dewey John Dewey was one of the most prominent philosophers and educational thinkers of the twentieth century, and his influence on modern education continues today. In Teachers, Leaders, and Schools: Essays by John Dewey, educators Douglas J. Simpson and Sam F. Stack Jr. have gathered some of  Dewey's most user-friendly and insightful essays concerning education with the purpose of aiding potential and practicing teachers, administrators, and policy makers to prepare students for participation in democratic society. Selected largely, but not exclusively, for their accessibility, relevance, and breadth of information, these articles are grouped into five parts--The Classroom Teacher, The School Curriculum, The Educational Leader, The Ideal School, and The Democratic Society. Each part includes an introductory essay that connects Dewey's thoughts not only to each other but also to current educational concerns. The sections build on one another, revealing Dewey's educational theories and interests and illustrating how his thoughts remain relevant today.