{"product_id":"radical-education-and-the-common-school-democratic-education-case","title":"Radical Education and the Common School - Democratic Education Case","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Radical Education and the Common School readers will find a sustained, thoughtful case for rethinking schooling with democracy, care and a richer image of the child at the center. Fielding and Moss challenge the dominant trends of marketisation, standardisation and managerialism and argue for a person-centred, socially engaged approach to education; the book is best for educators, policy thinkers and graduate students seeking a coherent alternative to instrumental models of schooling. The bottom line: this is a discursive, principle-driven volume that stimulates debate about what schools might become.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDemocratic focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors make a sustained argument that democracy should be a foundational value guiding school practice and policy, which reframes everyday decisions about curriculum and governance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritique of mainstream trends:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book critically examines marketisation, competition and managerialism to show how these pressures narrow educational aims and practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare as central ethic:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fielding and Moss place care at the heart of education, helping readers rethink relationships between adults and children in school contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerson-centred education:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text advocates education in the broadest sense, emphasising the potential of each child rather than narrow measurable outputs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical implications:\u003c\/strong\u003e While theoretical, the book connects values to school organisation and suggests how a common school might operate in democratic and inclusive ways.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConceptual clarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors clarify key concepts such as knowledge, learning and the image of the child, aiding readers who want a vocabulary for reform discussions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for teachers, school leaders, education researchers and policy advocates interested in alternatives to standardised, market-driven schooling. It suits readers who want a values-based framework to inform curriculum, governance and community engagement rather than a manual of step-by-step techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking classroom-level lesson plans, quick fixes or technical implementation guides should look elsewhere; this volume is discursive and conceptual, aimed at shaping thinking and policy rather than providing classroom-ready templates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a coherent, principled defence of democratic education that can reorient policy conversations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a humane alternative to competitive, standardised schooling by emphasising care and person-centred practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClarifies foundational concepts-knowledge, learning and the image of the child-helpful for theorists and practitioners alike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is conceptually dense and more suited to readers comfortable with theoretical texts, not those wanting immediate practical tools.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRadical Education and the Common School: A Democratic Alternative\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMichael Fielding, Peter Moss\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEducation theory, reform and policy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDemocracy, care, person-centred education, critique of marketisation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEducators, researchers, policy makers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical and normative analysis with implications for practice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRadical Education and the Common School is a valuable, idea-driven contribution for anyone committed to rethinking schools toward democratic and caring ends. It is good value for readers who want a conceptual foundation to guide policy and practice change, though those seeking ready-made classroom strategies may find it less directly applicable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book offer classroom lesson plans?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The volume is conceptual and normative, focused on values and policy implications rather than step-by-step lesson plans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho wrote the book and why does that matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichael Fielding and Peter Moss are experienced scholars in education whose perspectives lend weight to the book's argument for democratic, care-centred schooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for school leaders?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. School leaders looking to reframe school purpose and governance around democratic values will find the arguments directly relevant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Fielding, Peter Moss","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48757741420763,"sku":"0415498287","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61-5430_49L._SL1500.jpg?v=1778308124","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/radical-education-and-the-common-school-democratic-education-case","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}