Teaching Values - A Thoughtful Book on Values in Education

In this review of Teaching Values, Ron Scapp offers a clear, thoughtful examination of how values and values-based education are framed in American schools. The book is for educators, curriculum developers, and thoughtful citizens who want a measured critique of the polarized debate over values in classrooms; its single biggest reason to read is Scapp's refusal to let the subject be defined only by partisan voices, instead considering how citizenship and national identity can play constructive roles in education. This review highlights why the book matters for those seeking a balanced, theoretically informed discussion rather than a prescriptive curriculum.

Key Features

• Balanced critique: Scapp challenges the Right's dominance of the values conversation while also raising questions critics on the Left often overlook, giving readers a broader perspective.
• Focus on citizenship: The book examines the positive role of citizenship in U.S. education, helping readers reconsider civic formation as part of values instruction.
• National identity discussion: By addressing national identity directly, Scapp encourages educators to engage students in thinking about shared commitments and belonging.
• Theoretical engagement: The text situates debates within educational theory, offering teachers and scholars conceptual tools to analyze values education.
• Accessible prose: Scapp writes for an educated audience without excessive jargon, making complex ideas usable for practitioners and policymakers.

Who It's For

Teaching Values is best for education scholars, teacher educators, school leaders, and policy analysts who want a reflective, critical treatment of values in schooling. Those interested in curriculum theory and civic education will find the book useful for framing discussions and prompting curriculum decisions.

This is less suitable for readers seeking a step-by-step classroom program or lesson plans; the book is analytic and discursive rather than a practical teacher's guide. Parents looking for quick takeaways on values instruction may prefer more applied titles.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a nuanced alternative to partisan accounts of values education, useful for balanced policy discussion.
• Highlights citizenship and national identity as legitimate topics for educational debate, opening constructive lines of inquiry.
• Engages educational theory in a way that helps scholars and practitioners think through implications for schools.

Cons

• Not a how-to manual: readers seeking detailed classroom strategies will need to supplement this with practice-focused resources.

Specifications

Title	Teaching Values
Author	Ron Scapp
Subject	Values in education; citizenship; national identity
Approach	Critical and theoretical analysis
Audience	Educators, scholars, policy analysts
Style	Analytic, discursive, accessible prose

Our Verdict

Teaching Values is a thoughtful, well-argued contribution for anyone who wants a less polarized conversation about values in schools. It is good value for scholars and educational leaders who need a conceptual framework linking citizenship and national identity to values education, though teachers seeking lesson-ready materials should pair it with more practical resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book offer classroom lesson plans?
No. The work is analytical and focuses on arguments about values and citizenship rather than specific lesson content.

Who is the author addressing?
Ron Scapp writes primarily to educators, scholars, and policy makers interested in the theory and politics of values education.

Is the book partisan?
The book critiques partisan dominance and seeks a balanced perspective, discussing ideas from multiple viewpoints while emphasizing the role of citizenship.