Overschooled But Undereducated: How the crisis in education is jeopardizing our adolescents

Overschooled But Undereducated: How the crisis in education is jeopardizing our adolescents

by JohnAbbott (Author)

Synopsis

This book synthesizes an array of research and shows how these insights can contribute to a better understanding of human learning, especially as this relates to adolescence. By mis-understanding teenagers' instinctive need to do things for themselves, society is in danger of creating a system of schooling that so goes against the natural grain of the adolescent brain that formal education ends up unintentionally trivialising the very young people it claims to be supporting. By failing to keep up with appropriate research in the biological and social sciences, current educational systems continue to treat adolescence as a problem rather than an opportunity. This book is about the need for transformational change in education. It synthesizes an array of research from both the physical and social sciences and shows how these insights can contribute to a better understanding of human learning, especially as this relates to adolescence. The book was conceived through a series of international conferences, and considers the education systems in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand. Its intention is to shake education out of its two-century's-old inertia. In the saga of the ages, if a generation fails, the fault lies squarely with the previous generation for not equipping them well enough for the changes ahead. The most immoral thing a person can ever say is: 'This will last out my time'.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Publisher: Network Continuum Education
Published: 30 Nov 2009

ISBN 10: 1855396238
ISBN 13: 9781855396234

Media Reviews
'Politicians really should take note. Poor beleaguered Ed Balls, in desperate need of a workable education policy, should really buy a copy of Abbott's book, co-authored with Heather MacTaggart. Overschooled but Undereducated, the title says it all. It's just the lesson Balls needs'

Prue Leith, The Spectator
'This penetrating exploration burrows through to the heart of the malaise which has stifled so much education in the 21st century... a provocative and bold manifesto for change.'

Dr Jonathan Long, Principal of the United World College of India.
'This brilliantly rich, historical and philosophical background makes this a landmark work.'

Dr Helen Drennen, Principal of Wesley College, Australia.
'I read this book with great interest and almost entire agreement.'

Dr Eric Anderson, former Headmaster and Provost of Eton College.
'This may well be the most important and significant book that young people and those involved with education will read.'

Maureen Nitek, The Clarendon College, Wiltshire.
'For anyone... who cares about adolescents Overschooled but Undereducated should be compulsory reading. It will fill you with joy at the potential within young people when given the opportunity to do what is natural to them, to learn and to think for themselves.'

Janet Lawley, former Headteacher of Bury Girls' School.
'This remarkable work... is at the same time profoundly scholarly and eminently accessible. It is nothing less than a tour de force, and it is a privilege to recommend it unreservedly.'

Sir Gustav Nossal, former President of the Australian Academy of Science.
This is a fascinating and insightful book and clearly keys into a widespread concern about 'teaching to the test' and politicians interfering more than ever to prescribe what and how teachers teach

Culture Wars
Author Bio
John Abbott is president of the 21st Century Learning Initiative, a transnational association of educational researchers and practitioners. Following a long career as a teacher and headteacher in England, John became director of Education 2000, spearheading nine community-wide education projects in the UK. He lectures around the world on new understandings about learning and is the author of several books including Learning Makes Sense (1994) and The Child is Father of the Man: How Humans Learn and Why (1999).