At its heart, this short book is an ardent critique of contemporary schooling for its inability to squarely address contemporary social problems. Drawing from many years of experience as a classroom teacher, Holt documents the realities of this broken system: the failure of schools to meet basic human needs, the proliferation of school-related gun violence, the marginalization of teachers and the devaluing of their work, and the autocratic nature of school policies, organization, and curricula. Holt’s unique contribution is her examination of these matters through the philosophical lens of John Dewey. She finds that Dewey still has a worthwhile angle on all these matters. Urging the reader to adopt the Deweyan framework, Holt provides a valuable introduction to Dewey’s work and a hopefulness not always found in similar approaches. [This] book will provide a good starting point for the student just beginning such serious study. Recommended for introductory courses in the history and philosophy of education, as well as courses oriented around contemporary educational issues. Recommended. Undergraduates.
— Choice Reviews
Latasha Holt offers a wide-ranging and thoroughgoing analysis of contemporary issues in K-12 education and, in applying lessons from of one of America’s most respected educational philosophers, John Dewey, she provides bold, daring, and innovative strategies to address them. This book is essential reading for parents, teachers, academics, politicians, and anyone else interested in understanding how schools can function more effectively.
— John A. Kirk, George W. Donaghey Distinguished Professor of History, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Revisiting John Dewey: Applying What He Said 100 Years Ago to Today’s Need is an insightful exploration of John Dewey’s vision for American education and how it has and has not been implemented over the decades. Latasha D. Holt has provided much-needed revisiting of the purpose of schools and the concepts we must consider moving forward.
— Bill Morelan, PhD, EDLD Program Director, Arkansas Tech University
Dewey’s work on education is interpreted and presented to a new generation of 21st century educators who deal with recent changes and issues in education. Latasha D. Holt offers a snapshot of the postmodern condition moving us to the reality of Dewey today.
— Timothy Leggett, EdD, Arkansas Tech University