📖 Overview
David C. Berliner is an educational psychologist and professor emeritus at Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. He has served as president of the American Educational Research Association and the Division of Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association.
Berliner's research focuses on the study of teaching, teacher education, and educational policy. He is particularly known for his work on teacher expertise, educational reform, and his critiques of high-stakes testing policies in American education.
His book "The Manufactured Crisis" (co-authored with Bruce J. Biddle) challenged popular narratives about the failure of American public schools and became influential in education policy discussions. His later work "50 Myths and Lies That Threaten America's Public Schools" (co-authored with Gene V Glass) continued this critical examination of educational reform narratives.
Berliner's contributions to understanding teacher development and expertise have been widely cited in academic literature. His research on the stages of teacher expertise and the time required to develop teaching proficiency has influenced teacher education programs and professional development practices.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Berliner's evidence-based challenges to common beliefs about public education. Reviews frequently note his ability to debunk myths with research data and statistics.
What readers liked:
- Clear presentation of complex education policy issues
- Thorough research citations and documentation
- Practical insights for teachers and administrators
- Balanced analysis of education system strengths and weaknesses
What readers disliked:
- Academic writing style can be dense
- Some find his policy positions too partisan
- Older books contain dated statistics
- Limited practical solutions offered
On Goodreads, "50 Myths and Lies" averages 4.1/5 stars from 267 ratings. Amazon reviews average 4.3/5 stars across his books. Teacher reviewers particularly praise his analysis of teacher development stages and expertise acquisition. Education policy researchers cite his statistical analyses of school performance data.
One high school teacher wrote: "Berliner cuts through the rhetoric with hard data." A critical review noted: "Strong on identifying problems but short on viable solutions."
📚 Books by David C. Berliner
Educational Psychology (1991)
A comprehensive textbook covering theories of learning, human development, and educational measurement for teachers and education professionals.
The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools (1995) An analysis of data challenging claims about the failure of American public education, co-authored with Bruce J. Biddle.
Putting Research to Work in Your School (2003) A guide for educators on implementing research-based practices in classroom settings, co-authored with Richard C. Soder.
Collateral Damage: How High-Stakes Testing Corrupts America's Schools (2008) An examination of the effects of standardized testing on American education, co-authored with Sharon L. Nichols.
50 Myths and Lies That Threaten America's Public Schools (2014) A point-by-point analysis of common claims about public education, co-authored with Gene V Glass.
The Handbook of Educational Psychology (2015) A reference work covering contemporary research and theory in educational psychology, co-edited with Robert C. Calfee.
The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools (1995) An analysis of data challenging claims about the failure of American public education, co-authored with Bruce J. Biddle.
Putting Research to Work in Your School (2003) A guide for educators on implementing research-based practices in classroom settings, co-authored with Richard C. Soder.
Collateral Damage: How High-Stakes Testing Corrupts America's Schools (2008) An examination of the effects of standardized testing on American education, co-authored with Sharon L. Nichols.
50 Myths and Lies That Threaten America's Public Schools (2014) A point-by-point analysis of common claims about public education, co-authored with Gene V Glass.
The Handbook of Educational Psychology (2015) A reference work covering contemporary research and theory in educational psychology, co-edited with Robert C. Calfee.
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Michael Apple analyzes the relationship between education and power structures in society. His writings examine curriculum, ideology, and the political aspects of schooling.
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