SARANAC LAKE, N.Y., Jan. 2, 2008 — Emmanuel Bernstein, Ph.D., has spent over 20 years as a teacher and guidance counselor in the public schools, 35 years as a psychotherapist, and nearly 60 years as an education researcher. One could say he knows what he’s talking about. In his new book, The Secret Revolution: A Psychologist’s Adventures in Education (http://www.thesecretrevolution.net, ISBN 142511169-6, $25, Trafford Publishing), Dr. Bernstein talks about the failure of America’s conventional schooling system.
"America’s schooling system of memorization, uniform grades and separating students by age is a colossal mistake," Dr. Bernstein stated. He finds the current high-stakes standardized tests to be "weapons of mass destruction" inflicted on teachers and students, paralyzing education. "’No Child Left Behind’ has turned into ‘No Child Gets Ahead.’ The tests do not measure true educational progress and instead evaluate the memorization of trivia. Unfortunately, our government is encouraging the mediocrity it fears."
Dr. Bernstein shows how the conventional system with its federal and state punishments has stopped the best teachers from teaching (unless they secretly rebel) and is based on a military model. When followed it makes students so dependent on dictators that they yearn for dictators. Thus the current system is endangering democracy. Adamant that dramatic changes must be made in how America’s children are educated, the author details alternative systems that provide a nurturing, alive environment that helps students grow into the best of themselves.
Among Dr. Bernstein’s assertions: Conventional schooling focuses on control, competition and threats. This atmosphere allows "terrorist teachers" to survive and severely damage a child for life. Individuality, creativity, imagination, deep thinking and social skills wither.
Dr. Bernstein gives America’s traditional one-size-fits-all schools an F. He finds most students cannot flourish under such outdated schooling practices.
"In The Secret Revolution, Dr. Bernstein brings to life a monumental collection of philosophies, histories, personal experiences, programs, descriptions, viewpoints, and research calling for a transformation away from uniform schooling toward personalized learning options," stated Don Glines, director of the Educational Futures Project. "This … is essential reading for parents, educators and politicians, for it is perhaps the best book written clarifying the need for educational alternatives … for everyone."
In the end, Dr. Bernstein’s urgent message is this: Conventional schooling is wasting the time of our students, our teachers and our country. It is endangering democracy and damaging not only the academically challenged but also our brightest and best students. Our finest teachers must secretly rebel against the system. Students who grow into happy, fulfilled, successful adults do so in spite of the conventional system, and it is long past time to take action. To learn more, visit http://www.thesecretrevolution.net.
Contact:
Emmanuel Bernstein, Ph.D.
518-891-4140
mannyber@yahoo.com
http://www.thesecretrevolution.net
