Though public education has gone through crises since its beginning, we’ll begin with Sputnik in 1958 and end with the current focus on racial and gender identity. We’ll look at earlier and current versions of the various controversies growing out of the 60s, the “Outcomes Based Education” movement, multiple iterations of the “Reading Wars”, standards movements, charter schools, vouchers and home schooling, high stakes assessment, and accountability including the role of corporations, private equity, and wealthy donors (Quick Quiz: how much money did Bill Gates pour into “public” education? Hint: More than millions).

We will begin with sharing our own K-12 educations through “educational autobiographies”, an activity I’ve done with students and educators around the country. Education, unlike particle physics, tends to produce a lot of opinions, so this will be very much a discussion-based class. I’ll provide links to readings; nothing will be required, but reading them will make the class more enjoyable for all of us.