WhatOs Ahead in Education?: An Analysis of the Policies of the Obama Administration - Softcover

Bill Hayes has organized an extremely thorough and engaging review of President Obama's attempt to deal with a variety of complex and interrelated factors that have and will continue to impact education efforts within our country. His book provides a useful, in-depth analysis of the president's push for comprehensive national education standards along with dramatic increases in funding for public education. -- Dr. Howard Sanford, emeritus professor of education at the State University of New York at Geneseo and author of Differentiated Language Arts Instru Professor Hayes does a masterful job describing Barack Obama's personal education background as well as providing a balanced analysis of his activities in the field of education thus far in his presidency. Specifically, he points out the development of the president's ideas regarding education, his ambitious agenda for reform, and his commitment to America's school children. This book should be required reading for politicians as well as educational leaders as they work together to shape the future of both our education system and our democracy. -- Dr. Scott G. Martzloff, superintendent of schools, Byron-Bergen Central School District With impressive scope, depth, and insight, Hayes provides a comprehensive picture of why American education policy is what it is today, the state of education as a result, and where both will be in the near future. The focus is mainly on President Obama, his personal experiences, current views and past statements regarding education, but the book also gives a much larger sense of the ways policy makers operate and the implications of their perspectives on educating our children. Hayes' work is of value both as a timely state of affairs and as a case study of how policy making happens. It is an important read for anyone involved in education or policy making on any level. -- Dr. Susan Frenck, Fairfax County Public Schools The major purpose of this book appears to be identifying the key factors that influenced the educational philosophy of the 44th president of the US and the effects of his philosophy on major policy initiatives. Hayes discusses major educational policy initiatives, such as Race to the Top and the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, in this context. He provides an overview of President Obama's early years in school as well the beginning of his career in politics. Hayes also examines Obama's record thus far and suggests that his future educational agenda will reflect his strong commitment to the improvement of schools and colleges. This book is interesting and informative, especially for those interested in the field of education. It is important to remember that the author's assumptions regarding Obama's educational philosophy are tied to his own subjective interpretation. Nevertheless, the book is recommended to a wide audience. Recommended. All readership levels. * CHOICE *

What's Ahead in Education? : An Analysis of the Policies of the Obama Administration illuminates the educational views of President Barack Obama. This is done by studying his life to date, his writings and speeches, as well as his initiatives thus far, in the field of education. His unique educational background and public service prior to assuming the presidency offers a number of clues as to how he will perform as President. Attention is also paid to those individuals such as his father, mother, his wife, Michelle, and his Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. By studying his early steps in developing the stimulus package, the Race to the Top, and a blue print for reauthorizing No Child Left Behind, readers can better understand the likely future of the President's education initiatives.