The Crisis of Confidence in American Education - A Blueprint for Fixing What Is Wrong and Restoring America's Confidence in the Public Schools

Sep 29, 2026

A blueprint for diagnosing systemic weaknesses in American public education and rebuilding trust through practical, research-driven improvements. The author presents major issues and influential forces affecting schools, emphasizing that education is inseparable from broader American life. Solutions are framed as collaborative work rather than quick fixes, urging educators and citizens to move beyond defensive posturing, adopt exemplary practices, and implement coordinated plans to strengthen confidence in public schools.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages236

Reading Time9 h 55 min

AccessFree to download

About the Author

The Crisis of Confidence in American Education

A Blueprint for Fixing What Is Wrong and Restoring America's Confidence in the Public Schools

Foreword

PE 92 )E CONEDEN IN AMBRICAN EUCAIONROISEKT THAGLNTT # THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCEIN AMERICAN EDUCATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert E.Hagerty is associate professor and coordinator ofthe Educational Leadership Program at Grand Valley StateUniversity in Grand Rapids,Michigan.He received his B.A.degree(1955)from Western Michigan University and his M.A.(1961)and Ed.D (1970)degrees from Wayne State University.Dr.Hagerty was a regular and special education teacher,building administrator and Director of Special Education forthe Hazel Park Community Schools for twenty-five years.Heserved as superintendent of schools for ten years,the lasteight in Ionia,Michigan,where he received national recogni-tion as the developer of the Ionia Educational Center.Dr.Hagerty lectures and consults throughout the state and nation.He received the National School Public Relation Association'sSuperintendent's Award of Excellence in 1987.Dr.Hagerty ispresident of the Michigan Association of Professors of Educa-tional Administration. THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCEIN AMERICAN EDUCATION # A Blueprint for Fixing What Is Wrongand Restoring America's Confidencein the Public Schools By ROBERT HAGERTY,ED.D. Associate Professor;Educational LeadershipGrand Valley State UniversityGrand Rapids,Michigan With a Foreword by Donald Burns President,Montcalm Community College CHA RLES C TH OMA S ·PU BLISHERSpringfield·Illinois·U.S.A. CHARLES C THOMAS·PUBLISHER2600 South First StreetSpringfield,llinois 62794-9265 This book is protected by copyright.No part ofit may be reproduced in any manner withoutwritten permission from the publisher. ◎1995 by CHARLES C THOMAS·PUBLISHER (cloth) ISBN 0-398-05965-9 ISBN0-398-05966-7(paper) Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:94-39005 With THOMAS BOOKS careful attention is given to all details of manufacturingand design.It is the Publisher's desire to present books that are satisfactory as to theirphysical qualities and artistic possibilities and appropriate for their particular use.THOMAS BOOKS will be true to those laus of quality that assure a good nameand good will. Printed in the United States of AmericaSC-R-3 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hagerty,Robert. The crisis of confidence in American education:a blueprint forfixing what is wrong and restoring America's confidence in thepublic schools /by Robert Hagerty:with a foreword by DonaldBurns. p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.ISBN0-398-05965-9(cloth).—ISBN 0-398-05966-7(paper) 1.Public schools-United States.2.Education-United States-Aims and objectives.3.Educational change-United States. I.Title. LA217.2.H34 1995 371'.01'0973-dc20 94-39005 CIP # FOREWORD As H.L.Mencken once said,“There is always a well-known solutionto every human problem-neat,plausible and wrong.” Most of us have heard others describe,and perhaps have even hadthoughts on our own,of simple ways to solve the woes of the Americaneducational system.Prior to embracing any such thoughts,one shouldattempt to get some kind of overall perspective on the issue.The follow-ing text provides the reader with such an opportunity.The major issueswithin and forces affecting education are described in this text. In a comprehensive and direct fashion,Bob Hagerty describes thesituation-an educational system in the 1990s.He reminds us that schoolsare not apart from,but rather a part of,American life. Convinced that there are solutions and that we have the spirit topursue them,Dr.Hagerty encourages those within and those who sup-port education.The author presents convincing solutions to the mostpressing public criticism of American education.However,these solu-tions are not panaceas.Dr.Hagerty calls on educators and citizens to joinhands,to have the resolve to abandon defensive posturing,and thecourage to use collaborative planning to implement the research drivenexemplary practices put forward in this book. You will come away moti

FAQs

What is the book’s central aim?

To analyze major problems in American public education and provide a blueprint for fixing what is wrong while restoring confidence in public schools.

How does the foreword describe an attitude toward problem-solving?

It highlights the danger of neat, plausible solutions that are ultimately wrong, urging readers to seek overall perspective before embracing simple remedies.

What approach does the author encourage for implementing improvements?

The book urges educators and citizens to collaborate, abandon defensive posturing, and use collaborative planning to implement research-driven exemplary practices.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Anna Hans