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THE LITERATURE OF

LEADERSHIP

REVIEWS BY JEFF YERGLER

GENERATION ON A EDUCATION AND DEMOCRACY CHECKLIST FOR CHANGE: HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE
TIGHTROPE: A PORTRAIT OF IN THE 21ST CENTURY MAKING AMERICAN HIGHER DIGITAL AGE
TODAY’S COLLEGE STUDENT Nel Noddings EDUCATION A SUSTAINABLE William G. Bowen
Arthur Levine and Diane R. Dean As an educational philosopher, ENTERPRISE Bowen explores the connection
If you want to get clear, updated, Noddings explores in lucid and Robert Zemsky between the increasing and often
and relevant information on what practical language the educational Robert Zemsky provides the reader exorbitant cost of higher education
makes the American college and curriculum goals for the 21st an analysis of educational policy and the return on that investment.
student population “tick,” you will century. Noddings examines the issues that are intended to move us Specifcally, Bowen argues that
want to read Levine and Dean’s current issues and problems of beyond the stagnant and irrelevant the rise and popularity of online
excellent book. Using massive education such as the drive for arguments about higher education classes may be able to slow the
amounts of research that is distilled national standards and teacher toward issues and challenges that “cost disease” in higher education.
down to readable, understandable, accountability. Foundational to represent opportunities to revitalize Bowen, an economist and former
and immediately applicable Noddings’ argument are the ideals and strengthen higher education President of Princeton University,
tables and graphs, they provide a of democracy and education into the future. The frst part of makes a compelling case for the
complete and relevant picture of as refected in John Dewey’s the book examines existing issues way online education, including
the typical college student. The Democracy and Education. The that have shaped current “gestalts” the emergence of massive open
book is divided into three sections. concept of equality and education is around higher education. Among online courses (MOOCs), can help
The frst section addresses how debated along with the importance them are the GI Bill and the Higher reign-in cost while also preserving
students’ perspectives, aspirations, placed on the development of a Education act of 1972, the latter of quality. Part of Bowen’s discussion
and concerns have radically common curriculum. Noddings which opened the spout for massive addresses advantages of online
changed and shifted over the debates whether or not degrees federally funded loan programs for education, the effectiveness of this
last 10 to 20 years. The second and diplomas are equal in what higher education that, as Zemsky learning platform, philosophical
section looks more specifcally they provide and promise to argues, accelerated the rapid concerns connected to the
at these changes by focusing on those who obtain them. She and unsustainable cost of higher attainment of learning outcomes,
students and academics, digital explores the decline (and hope for education and the increased debt and structural and organizational
tribalism, micromanaging parents, renewal) of the liberal arts, the taken on by students. The second challenges needed to deliver
multiculturalism, politics, and role of educating toward personal part of the book searches for online learning. The book includes
future opportunities and challenges. stability expressed through the solutions using case studies taken responses to Bowen’s approach
The third section speaks to home life and parenting. Noddings from three different universities from Howard Gardner, Professor
how colleges might respond to also addresses the importance addressing new approaches to of Cognition at Harvard University,
these issues. Overall, this is an of vocational education and its internal and external partners in Andrew Delbanco, Professor of
outstanding read and will add emerging new possibilities. Finally, the building of a health sciences Humanities at Columbia University,
insight and perspective to your view educating the whole person and curriculum, a new emphasis and John Hennessy, President of
of students and how your institution laying the foundation for citizenship approach to learning outcomes, and Stanford University, and Daphne
might respond. and critical thinking bring aligning curriculum. The book closes Koller, Professor of Computer
Noddings’ book to a close. A great with attention paid to new approaches Science at Stanford University
read that can bring clarity to why to fnancial aid, completion between and co-founder of Coursera. A
we educate and the principles and institutions, and a stronger faculty compelling read at the 30,000 foot
practices that drive an authentic voice that can explore how higher perspective.
education that is truly democratic. education can and must change.

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LEADERSHIP Vol. 19.3 Winter 2014 37

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