Horace's Compromise: The Dilemma Of The American High School

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Summary: horace's compromise
Review: I thought this book was very intresting. I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about teaching high school. I did not get a lot out of the book as a whole, but there were many independent points that stuck out. I liked the way the book challenged the system.

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Summary: This book has really opened my eyes.
Review: If you're going to be a high school teacher, this book could be a useful tool. First published in 1984, Sizer takes an in-depth look at American high schools. He not only points out strengths and weaknesses, but offers a course of action for how we can make our schools work the best for each individual student. The only problem I really had with the book was that the statistics were outdated but through reading in my Education class, I've found that most of them hold true. It was easy to read and I found the chapters about the average days of students and teachers very telling.

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Summary: accurate, realistic, what high schools are really about toda
Review: Theodore Sizer accurately portrays high schools in the shape they are in today. He praises where it's due and as is more often the case, addresses areas of concern. However, he doesn't merely throw stones, more importantly he offers solutions. What he is talking about is real restructuring, not simply reorganizing. We need to think carefully about how our schools are designed and do a better job of fitting them to our students' needs. Sizer offers actual interviews with students, teachers, administrators, all the stakeholders in education today. This book could only be written by a man who truly loves kids and schools, yet agonizes over all the wasted opportunities. Sizer wants what we all want, to be more effective in the classrooms. This book is challenging, frustrating, and sometimes joyous, basically what a typical high school teacher feels every day in the front lines of the classroom. A must read for every teacher, regardless of beginner or veteran. It has something for everybody.