Bracey Report on the Condition of Public Education

Posted by on November 23, 2009

The Bracey Report on the Condition of Public Education, Gerald W. Bracey, EPIC/EPRU, November 2009.

This year’s Bracey Report identifies and discusses the research support for what the author considers to be three of the most important assumptions about how to reform public education:
1. High-quality schools can eliminate the achievement gap between whites and minorities.
2. Mayoral control of public schools is an improvement over the more common elected board governance systems.
3. Higher standards will improve the performance of public schools.

Publisher’s Note: For 18 years, “The Bracey Report on the Condition of Public Education,” an annual review of education research and policy issues, was published by Phi Delta Kappan. In 2009, EPIC/EPRU was pleased to become its new publisher. Sadly, Gerald W. Bracey passed away before he finished editing what will be the final Bracey Report. …His writings left strong impressions on readers, whether expert or layperson. …Fortunately for us all, Jerry’s last report was sufficiently enough developed that it was possible for Susan Ohanian and Pat Hinchey to finish the necessary editorial work. Jerry’s wife, Iris, helped, too, by encouraging us to publish the final Bracey Report and by providing Jerry’s notes and reference material. The Bracey Report is unique, a departure from EPIC/EPRU’s other publications. For this year’s report, we asked him to identify and discuss the research support for what he considers to be three of the most important assumptions about how to reform public education. Whether you agree or disagree with his analysis, we hope you find his views provocative and helpful as you make up your own mind about how best to go about improving America’s public schools”.

http://hub.mspnet.org/index.cfm/19996