Flat World and Education

Flat World and Education

Linda Darlin-Hammond's book, The Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future, presents an eye opening account of the current state of the U.S. public education system and what needs to be done to guarantee every child's right to learn. Darlin-Hammond's analysis of the education system in this case can only be described as sobering. In this book report, I discuss Darlin-Hammond's text from an objective point-of-view.

Darlin-Hammond's book details what most educators and policy makers are already aware of but are not ready to talk about, let alone address. Using a rather candid approach, Darlin-Hammond offers the reader a compelling view of the United States education policy. The arguments she presents in this text are well researched, argued and presented. The author also deviates from speculation and instead relies on evidence. Some of the key problems dogging our education system in the opinion of the author include but they are not limited to lack of equitability and incoherency. However, in addition to highlighting these problems, Darlin-Hammond also proposes a number of unique solutions. Equity and teacher development are at the top of the reform agenda. Darlin-Hammond remains an authority in matters education having served as president Obama's education advisor during his presidential campaign. Her knowledge and understanding of the American education system is therefore extensive. The credibility of her book can also be vouched for by the fact that she has authored quite a number of other highly successful books and articles largely concerning themselves with education policy.

From the onset, Darlin-Hammond claims that although societal demands have changed significantly since the industrial age, no steps have been taken in an attempt to accommodate these changes in the education system. This effectively means that in comparison to other countries, the U.S. continues to lag behind in issues revolving around education reform. One of the most critical issues Darlin-Hammond addresses in her book has got to do with standardized testing. Although our country is still grappling with other equally significant challenges in the education sector, the impact standardized testing has on instructional practices is rather extensive. It is important to note that in most cases, thanks to standardized testing, educational institutions churn out students who are excellent in memorization but rather poor in the practical application of the knowledge as well as skills they possess. The author also identifies the existing need to revamp the No Child Left Behind initiative. I concur with her assertion. What our great nation currently needs is a new breed of students possessing some deep understanding of the subject at hand. This is the only way through which both creativity and originality can be enhanced. To ensure that schools produce graduates who are relevant in an increasingly competitive global economy, policy makers must be ready to take decisive steps towards the transformation of the entire education system.

In the opinion of Darlin-Hammond, yet another problem our education system faces as I had already pointed out earlier on in this text is inequitable funding. In the absence of equitable funding, the quality of education some categories of students are receiving in the country's public schools remains largely questionable.

However, apart from pointing out the various problems plaguing our education system, Darlin-Hammond also comes up with some unique recommendations. In so doing, the author develops a detailed overview of what should be done to enhance the quality of education in our country. According to the author, Finland is way ahead of the U.S. As far as teacher preparation is concerned. In the United States, the author in her own words points out that "teachers either go into debt to prepare for a profession that will pay them poorly or they enter with little or no training" (Darlin-Hammond, 2010). However, in Finland, a decision was made "to invest in a uniformly well-prepared teaching force by recruiting top candidates and paying them to go to school" (Darlin-Hammond, 2010). As a result, the author observes that in the latter case, teacher training program slots tend to be highly valued thus making shortages rather unlikely. In such a country, deliberate steps are taken to ensure that schools are equitably funded. Indeed, in regard to Finland, the author of this text paints a picture of a largely equitable school system. This also happens to be the case in not only South Korea but also Singapore. In my opinion, were the U.S. To use the same approaches used by Finland especially when it comes to teacher preparation, a widespread skilful and motivated knowledge base would be created to the benefit of learners at all levels.

There is also the issue of small school units. In the opinion of Darlin-Hammond, parents, students as well as teachers have in the past observed that the relevance of small size cannot be overstated when it comes to the success of a school. One of the key benefits associated with smaller size schools include but they are not limited to enhanced safety. In this case, it is argued that the relatively small number of students creates a closely knit community where individuals know each other relatively well. Proper learning thrives in a safe environment where incidence rates are relatively low. I am convinced that should our education system move towards small school units, learning will be greatly enhanced.

In chapter nine, the author caps it all with the question, "what would a well-functioning teaching and learning system look like under a federal form of government, such as the United States?" In seeking to address this question, Darlin-Hammond recommends that such a system should have a number of critical elements including meaningful student learning, equitable and adequate resources, strong professional practice, schools organized for student and teacher learning, and finally intelligent, reciprocal accountability. These elements in my view are not only valid but also well-thought-out.