Seeking common ground : public schools in a diverse society / David Tyack.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [187]-225) and index.

I. Unity -- 1. Schools for Citizens: Preserving the Republic -- 2. Patriotic Literacy: History Textbooks -- II. Diversity -- 3. Same or Different? School Policies and Social Diversity -- 4. Thoroughly Trained in Failure: Mismatch of Pupil and School -- III. Democracy -- 5. Democracy in Education: Who Needs It? -- 6. Choices about Choice: No Simple Solution.

"In this enlightening book, filled with vivid characters and memorable incidents that make history but don't always make history books, David Tyack describes how each American generation grappled with the knotty task of creating political unity and social diversity." "Seeking Common Ground illuminates puzzles about democracy in education and chronic conflicts that continue to make news. Americans mistrusted government, yet they entrusted civic education of their children to public schools. American history textbooks were notoriously dull, but they were also highly controversial. Although the people liked local control of schools, educational experts called it "democracy gone to seed" and campaigned to "take the schools out of politics." Reformers argued about whether it was more democratic to teach all students the same subjects or to tailor curriculum to individuals. And what was the best way to "Americanize" immigrants, asked educators: by force-feeding assimilation or by honoring their ethnic heritages?"--BOOK JACKET.