Doing More with Less: A Philosophical View of Dr. Michael Apple
Doing More with Less: A Philosophical View of Dr. Michael Apple
La Vonda D. Loney
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Doing More with Less: A Philosophical View of Dr. Michael Apple
“Money does not cure school problems” (Fowler, 2009, p.71). This sentiment was shared during a speech in 1988 by William Bennett whom served the country as the Secretary of Education under the Reagan Administration. After studying the state of education in the United States, he believed that there was no link between the amount of governmental monetary resources given to schools and student achievement. In other words, more money does not equal higher student achievement rates. The question is: Since monetary resources are not linked to the positive increase of student achievement, then how can the lack of monetary resources cause decreased levels of student achievement? Where is the real control? Whose ideologies do we listen to when it comes to identifying what makes schools work?
Michael Apple, a critical, theoretical researcher in his own right, believes that “Formal schooling by and large is organized and controlled by the government” (Apple, 2003, Chapter 1). The idea that politics rule the world is one of many messages that Apple wants to his readers to understand. He questions to what extent is education affected by the political arena. In State of Politics and Knowledge, Apple argues that education will always remain in the mix of political and cultural conflicts. It is due to the dominant political groups whose agenda is to reform schools utilizing neoliberal/authoritarian/populist strategies and neoliberal/neoconservative/middle-class managerial strategies. (Apple, 2003) Apples goal is to “create truly democratic and realistic alternatives to the ways markets, standards, and testing are now being forced onto schools” (Electronic Book Review, 2012). He believes that educators can collectively come together to bring about a more democratic response to our educational
La Vonda D. Loney
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Doing More with Less: A Philosophical View of Dr. Michael Apple
“Money does not cure school problems” (Fowler, 2009, p.71). This sentiment was shared during a speech in 1988 by William Bennett whom served the country as the Secretary of Education under the Reagan Administration. After studying the state of education in the United States, he believed that there was no link between the amount of governmental monetary resources given to schools and student achievement. In other words, more money does not equal higher student achievement rates. The question is: Since monetary resources are not linked to the positive increase of student achievement, then how can the lack of monetary resources cause decreased levels of student achievement? Where is the real control? Whose ideologies do we listen to when it comes to identifying what makes schools work?
Michael Apple, a critical, theoretical researcher in his own right, believes that “Formal schooling by and large is organized and controlled by the government” (Apple, 2003, Chapter 1). The idea that politics rule the world is one of many messages that Apple wants to his readers to understand. He questions to what extent is education affected by the political arena. In State of Politics and Knowledge, Apple argues that education will always remain in the mix of political and cultural conflicts. It is due to the dominant political groups whose agenda is to reform schools utilizing neoliberal/authoritarian/populist strategies and neoliberal/neoconservative/middle-class managerial strategies. (Apple, 2003) Apples goal is to “create truly democratic and realistic alternatives to the ways markets, standards, and testing are now being forced onto schools” (Electronic Book Review, 2012). He believes that educators can collectively come together to bring about a more democratic response to our educational
References: Anyon, Jean. (2005). Radical possibilities: Public policy, urban education, and a new social movement. Apple, Michael W Apple, Michael W. (2009). Global crisis, social justice, and education. Retrieved from Eric First Search Apple, Michael W Eric First Search Apple, Michael W., Ball, S.J., Gadin, L.A (2009) of education. Routeledge Falmer. Retrieved from Master e-book ISBN 0-203-47658-1 Apple, Michael W., Gadin, L.A., Wayne, Au (2009) Dufour, R., Marzano, R. (2011). Leaders of learning: How district, school, and classroom leaders improve student achievement. Fowler, F. C. (2009). Policy studies for educational leaders. Hauss, Charles C