An unapologetic critique of major flaws in the American education system. David Michael Slater’s
We’re Doing It Wrong is a thought-provoking dissection of the issues plaguing American public schools. Each chapter identifies a major problem in the education system, exploring its roots and repercussions. A teacher himself, Slater opens up and gives readers an insider’s perspective on topics that have been at the center of ongoing debates as well as recent hot button issues, such as:
- Standardized testing
- Teacher evaluation practices
- Helicopter parents
- Class size
- Poverty’s effect on performance
- Anti-bullying programs
- Writing proficiency
- Curriculum goals
Slater explains why our current approaches simply aren’t working—for students, for teachers, for the colleges that these students may eventually attend, and for society at-large. Unafraid to ruffle a few feathers,
We’re Doing It Wrong highlights defects in policy and theory, calls out administration, and questions long-held beliefs. Every chapter concludes with a suggestion for improvement, offering light at the end of the tunnel. Administrators, teachers, and concerned parents will come away with a better understanding of the current state of education and ideas for moving toward progress—for themselves and for the students they support.
Industry Reviews
"Fans of David Sedaris, Jenny Lawson, and Augusten Burroughs will crown David Michael Slater their new king." —New York Journal of Books, review of Slater’s Fun & Games (2016)
***Advanced Reviews of We’re Doing It Wrong: 25 Ideas in Education That Just Don’t Work—And How to Fix Them***
"Master teacher David Slater’s book is a masterpiece! It is written in clear and concise prose that has the impact of a sledgehammer as the author dismantles one myth after another. And makes common sense solutions to seemingly intractable problems. We’re Doing It Wrong is a cogent and concise appraisal of the dismal state of American public education that should become mandatory reading for every concerned parent, administrator, school board member, elected public official, journalist, and self-appointed “expert” who profess to know the easy solution to the failures of our schools. His blunt, no-holds barred assessment of the growing crisis in public schools cannot be easily dismissed. Unfortunately, the fact that he is an experienced and successful teacher will probably disqualify him in the eyes of most educational reformers who have never taught a single minute in our beleaguered schools. This is the most important common sense approach to fixing our public schools that I have ever been privileged to read." —Richard O. Davies, Distinguished Professor of History, Emeritus, and Academic Vice President of University of Nevada; Nevada Professor and Researcher of the Year; Dean of College of Public Service at Northern Arizona; Former President of University of Northern Colorado; Nevada Writer Hall of Fame inductee
"David Slater’s book should be required reading for the new President and Congress. His is a straight-shooting voice with thoughtful and sobering reflections directly from the field. We need to heed the compelling insights and solutions laid out in his new book about our system of education." —Cindy Cisneros, VP of Education Programs, Committee for Economic Development
"It is perhaps no surprise that in an age of ideologically polarized educational research and politics—matched with a widespread disrespect for teachers and public schools—a book of such straightforward sanity as this one needs to be published and read widely. It will miff people at the poles of opinion, but it is thoroughly supported by empirical research and experienced teachers’ craft knowledge." —James Paul Gee, Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies and Regents’ Professor, Arizona State University; member of National Academy of Education
"From the moment I started reading David Slater’s We’re Doing It Wrong: 25 Ideas in Education That Just Don’t Work—And How to Fix Them, I thought, 'WOW . . . this guy really gets it!' His experience as a teacher gives him the unique ability to connect with his readers in order to help them reflect on the challenges we face as educators and in education today. Not only that, but he also provides thought provoking solutions to those challenges. It would benefit every teacher, administrator, school board member, parent and legislator to read this book. While I didn’t necessarily agree with every solution, I found myself being able to reflect on my own teaching practices and beliefs in order to help me think about what I can do in my own classroom to help my students be successful. This is a book anyone involved in education must read!" —Shelly Vroegh, 2017 Iowa Teacher of the Year
"With the perspective of a School Counselor, I am inspired by David’s empathetic and unapologetic acknowledgement that our choice of educational transformation must honor human interaction and encourage passion." —Joe D. Genasci, NCC NCSC, President and CEO GuidEd Fusion Inc.
"If you want a book with fresh ideas on perennial issues in education that are commonly and deeply misunderstood, David Slater’s We’re Doing It Wrong is a relentless page-turner. Everything old is reinterpreted with new understandings and invitation to act differently: school choice, merit pay and accountability, scripted curriculum, high needs parents, sage or guide, tenure, and 19 other ideas are sliced and diced in new ways. This is a ‘makes you think’ treatment of major myths and education conundrums—read it, think and act differently." —Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto
"Trust me, after you read Idea # 1, you will know that David Slater understands educators and the problems that we face every day. After working for twenty years in education and being force-fed professional development, I finally found a book that I can relate to, ascribe to, and wholeheartedly hand to a colleague without reservations. It is rare that you find a book that contains a 'no nonsense' approach to the problems that are prevalent in our profession and solutions that offer a light at the end of the tunnel. A must read for educators in our turbulent educational climate!" —Brita Scott, La Grande Education Association President, Eastern Oregon Uniserv Council President
"Educators and those who believe that educating America’s children is the path to a better future for everyone will find this book insightful, helpful, well-written, and thought-provoking. Every school board member in the country should read this book and start a community discussion about where education goes from here and how we move from a system that fails too many to one that truly serves the needs of children, educators, and the world." —Leigh Anne Jasheway, BA, MPH, Instructor at University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications and recipient of the Erma Bombeck Award for Humor Writing
"Occam’s razor states that '. . . other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complex ones.' It is with this straight and to the point thinking and analysis, combining actual experience and observations with a common sense approach, David Michael Slater’s solutions address the core problems facing our educational systems. These are not political solutions full of sound bites and headlines, rather approaches that are basic and full of promise. I encourage not only educators and leaders to read this book, but also all policymakers and anyone else concerned or connected to our educational system. We need to remember that complex solutions are not always better. Simple is just as elegant—especially when they work." —Robert O. Davies, Ph.D., President, Murray State University
