A child’s mind is hungry for knowledge, stimulation, and the excitement of learning which school should provide—yet most American schools fall far short. From kindergarten through high school, our public educational system is among the worst in the developed world. In disdaining content-based curricula for abstract (and discredited) theories of how a child learns, our schools have done terrible harm to America’s students. Instead of preparing them for the highly competitive, information-based economy in which we now live, our school practices have severely curtailed their ability—and desire—to learn. But research has shown that if children are taught in ways that emphasize hard work, the learning of facts, and rigorous testing, their enthusiasm for school will grow, their test scores will rise, and they will become successful citizens of the information age.
“[Hirsch’s] book presents a sophisticated, scholarly and often compelling argument and it deserves serious consideration, whatever one’s political predilections.”
New York Times Book Review
“Offers a penetrating and compelling analysis of how, despite the good intentions of educators, bad ideas and failed theories now characterize American education.”
Indianapolis Star
“A damning, highly provocative, full-scale assault on today’s educational establishment.”
Publishers Weekly
“An on-target indictment of an educational system that refuses to recognize the madness in its teaching methods.”
Kirkus Reviews
“A brilliant, combative, and intensely practical discussion of how our education system got into its current mess and what we must do to pull it out.”
Donna Fowler, American Federation of Teachers
" Some parts are excellent... "
" Found Ed. "
" While some of his points carry validity, his tone was snarky and he made some wild generalizations and accusations. It was refreshing to get another point of view, but I think he could have presented it more tactfully. "
" Facinating insight into American schools and why we are falling behind. Highly recommended for anyone researching our current public schools. "
" The Schools We Need: And Why We Don't Have Them by E.D. Hirsch Jr. (1999) "
" This book was a wonderful read as I had been wondering why the educational theorists could not meet halfway. Why people just don't do what is working? This book explained alot. I did not always agree but I don't read to agree. I read to be challenged and to think. "
" A must read for anyone who wants to understand the American education system. "
" My copy is so tattered now that the cover is barely hanging on. The twins want me to read the poems and sing the songs everyday. Isabel and I enjoyed the other sections too. "
" Excellent book to go through with your preschooler. Lots of fun things to talk about. "
" As a homeschool teacher, I love the Core Knowledge series. I especially like the history and literature sections of this book, and I love how the series builds on itself as the grades progress. "
" I really enjoyed reading through this book with my son. He loved the poems and some of the history stories the best. "
" My kids have loved reading from this book. They've brought it to me and asked for "another story" and "more stories" and so forth. I like reading what others think kids should know by preschool and am often surprised and impressed. This was a good pick. Thanks, Kristi! "
" I'm trying to make sure my son has a well rounded education and this book has helped me know what to teach at this age. There are books up through 6th grade. "
" LOVE all the information, activities, songs, games, etc. in the book! It will truly help me over the next few years to prepare my child for school and teach him everything I can! "
" Grace and I enjoyed reading and discussing the little lessons in this book together. We especially liked the history and science sections. Concepts were explained well at a preschooler's level. "
E. D. Hirsch, Jr., is a professor at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and the author of the bestselling Cultural Literacy and the The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. He is also president of the nonprofit Core Knowledge Foundation, whose curriculum is followed by more than two hundred schools. Recent independent research on these schools has documented significant progress by both disadvantaged and advantaged students.
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.
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