THE SPIRAL PENDULUM

by William B. Levenson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 15, 1968

Professor Levenson, veteran of teaching and administration in the Cleveland school system, rounds off the present dilemmas of the harassed public schools, while protecting all flanks. Discoursing at many an anecdotal and illustrative length on the current malaise -- changing neighborhood patterns, race troubles, economic and financial difficulties -- the author sums up and forecasts. Decentralization is on its way in the growing megalopolitan direction, although there will undoubtedly be considerable community resistance; and a new central authority may emerge to coordinate city and suburb. As to teacher unions; ""collective negotiations are here to stay,"" hopefully not for a lug of war but for mutual benefit of teacher and student. Budget making will be based on system analysis rather than ""crises-analysis."" There is also a growing public support for public nursery schools. The author frankly states that there is little overall evidence of private school superiority, and he is opposed to ""anti-egalitarian"" motives. Most interesting is Professor Levenson's approach to the problem of severely disadvantaged children and one suggestion in particular -- the public boarding school, which, he feels, should be given a try. Prim, principal-prose but an enlightened, energetic view.

Pub Date: May 15, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Rand McNally

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION