The Rebirth of Education

Schooling Ain't Learning

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Educational Theory, Evaluation, Educational Reform, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Social Policy
Cover of the book The Rebirth of Education by Lant Pritchett, Brookings Institution Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lant Pritchett ISBN: 9781933286785
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press Publication: October 14, 2013
Imprint: Center for Global Development Language: English
Author: Lant Pritchett
ISBN: 9781933286785
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
Publication: October 14, 2013
Imprint: Center for Global Development
Language: English

Despite great progress around the world in getting more kids into schools, too many leave without even the most basic skills. In India's rural Andhra Pradesh, for instance, only about one in twenty children in fifth grade can perform basic arithmetic.

The problem is that schooling is not the same as learning. In The Rebirth of Education, Lant Pritchett uses two metaphors from nature to explain why. The first draws on Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom's book about the difference between centralized and decentralized organizations, The Starfish and the Spider. Schools systems tend be centralized and suffer from the limitations inherent in top-down designs. The second metaphor is the concept of isomorphic mimicry. Pritchett argues that many developing countries superficially imitate systems that were successful in other nations- much as a nonpoisonous snake mimics the look of a poisonous one.

Pritchett argues that the solution is to allow functional systems to evolve locally out of an environment pressured for success. Such an ecosystem needs to be open to variety and experimentation, locally operated, and flexibly financed. The only main cost is ceding control; the reward would be the rebirth of education suited for today's world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Despite great progress around the world in getting more kids into schools, too many leave without even the most basic skills. In India's rural Andhra Pradesh, for instance, only about one in twenty children in fifth grade can perform basic arithmetic.

The problem is that schooling is not the same as learning. In The Rebirth of Education, Lant Pritchett uses two metaphors from nature to explain why. The first draws on Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom's book about the difference between centralized and decentralized organizations, The Starfish and the Spider. Schools systems tend be centralized and suffer from the limitations inherent in top-down designs. The second metaphor is the concept of isomorphic mimicry. Pritchett argues that many developing countries superficially imitate systems that were successful in other nations- much as a nonpoisonous snake mimics the look of a poisonous one.

Pritchett argues that the solution is to allow functional systems to evolve locally out of an environment pressured for success. Such an ecosystem needs to be open to variety and experimentation, locally operated, and flexibly financed. The only main cost is ceding control; the reward would be the rebirth of education suited for today's world.

More books from Brookings Institution Press

Cover of the book Fast Forward by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book What We Owe by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Rio 2016 by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book The Governor's Solution by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book A Glass Half Full? by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Imperial Gamble by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Open for Business by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Show Me the Evidence by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book The Foreign Policy of the European Union by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Choices by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Managing the Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book To the Edge by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Obama and China's Rise by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Primary Politics by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book China's Offensive in Europe by Lant Pritchett
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy