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 What Would Madison Do? by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book The Persistence of Innovation in Government by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Promoting the Rule of Law Abroad by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Asia in Washington by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Growing Old by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Getting India Back on Track by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Marijuana by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Education Governance for the Twenty-First Century by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Suez Deconstructed by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Uncharted Strait by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Six Years at Sea... and Counting by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Governing by Network by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Development Aid Confronts Politics by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book To Serve the President by Lant Pritchett
Cover of the book Presidential Pork 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