Routledge Building a Learning Culture in America

Building a Learning Culture in America takes an incisive, no-holds-barred look at how America embraced and cultivated a culture of learning in the past, how that culture declined in the sixties and seventies, and what must be done to regain it. From political gridlock to systemic discrimination, Chavous details the many ways education today is off track, and cites specific examples of what Americans might do to reform it. Part memoir and part manifesto, this is a frank, fascinating, and personal account of Chavous' experience as a politician working to enact school choice in Washington, DC, and throughout the United States. During the course of his political career, he has seen political skirmishes and party scuffles interfere with the United States' ability to improve its educational system. These conflicts did not cause the problem; they were merely a result. The true problem was more basic: the decline of America's learning culture. This pivotal work calls for Americans to unite in making the changes needed to re-establish a learning culture as an inherent piece of the American national fabric, and tells us how to begin. Review "In Building a Learning Culture in America, I really like that Kevin Chavous is talking about how we can make education cool again! Learning is cool, being well-educated is important, and it should be fun! We need to join Kevin in building a national movement around learning." --Laila Ali, Fitness & Wellness Expert, Television Personality and Boxing Champion "I had the opportunity to work with Kevin in Washington, DC and saw first-hand his unwavering commitment to the education of our children. Building a Learning Culture in America is a story, a reflection, a consideration of national and international education issues, and most importantly, a manifesto. Kevin draws you into his self-described "life's work" by sharing his personal story and his journey into becoming a vocal, effective and sought-after advocate for children. Whether you agree with all of his stances or not, you will be moved by his passion and touched by the stories he shares of children and schools from around the globe. I'm ready to be a part of Made in America. Let's do it!" --Deborah Gist, Superintendent, Tulsa Public Schools "Education often brings to mind the old saying about the weather--everyone talks about it, but no one does anything about it. Kevin Chavous is not everyone. A force of nature himself, he's been battling to reshape American education for two decades. Weaving together educational expertise, lessons from other social movements, and his personal testimonial, he has penned a book that is both manifesto and strategic plan. The result is a remarkable resource for parents, practitioners, and policymakers." --Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute "An absorbing and completely captivating narrative of one man's impact on education in America through the years. Being a former recipient of the Florida Tax-Credit Scholarship, it is encouraging to travel back in time with Kevin as he displays his love for my education and many other low-income children like me. This is a beautiful book and memoir where we can witness how Kevin has fully immersed himself in education reform and how his passion for school reform is contagious. Building a Learning Culture in America is a remarkable evolutionary perspective on education reform." --Denisha Merriweather, MSW candidate at the University of South Florida, Former recipient of the Florida Tax-Credit Scholarship "Kevin and I have worked together breaking down barriers to education choice through the American Federation for Children. He is passionate about improving the educational landscape and his new book, Building a Learning Culture in America, provides thoughtful insight on how to get education back on track." --Jalen Rose, ESPN analyst, former NBA star, and founder of the Jalen Rose Leaders