Just Schools ─ Pursuing Equality in Societies of Difference

"Everyone supports equality, freedom and fairness, in schools and out. As Martha Minow, Richard A. Shweder, and Hazel Rose Markus show, however, there are important tensions embedded in these concepts. Is it fair for schools to encourage all students to develop common values as citizens of one nation, or is it more fair for schools to allow students from diverse groups to pursue their sometimes divergent values? Is it fair for schools to devote substantially more resources to disadvantaged students in an attempt to overcome social hierarchies, or is it more fair for schools to sort students hierarchically according to ability and hard work? The book moves beyond slogans to explore the sometimes conflicting values embedded in our commitments to equality, freedom, and fairness. The distinguished contributors provide both clear conceptual accounts and illuminating empirical descriptions of communities struggling with these conflicts. Contemporary discussions of education policy and practice too often assume that we all agree on the aims, of education, such that we can simply figure out which methods work and then allocate resources accordingly. Just Schools reminds us that deeper reflection and debate about aims is also required, especially in a society as diverse as ours."---Stanton Wortham, Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania