Why Our Children Aren’t Learning in Public School

Keith A. Kantorek
Lulu Publishing (2006)
ISBN 9781411680555
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (3/07)

It’s Keith A. Kantorek’s turn to express his opinion of America’s public education system – and he does so in his new book, “Why Our Children Aren’t Learning in Public School.”  As a five-year veteran of public education, Kantorek saw his share of issues and he’s boiled them all down to clashing viewpoints, priorities, and expectations between four groups:  teachers, parents, school administration, and legislators.  He explains these reasons in the concise 86-page book which is easy to read in one setting.  After all, he notes “why write 300 pages when you can explain it fully in less than 100?”

Kantorek’s goal is to educate the public on the ‘un-education’ of children in the public school system.  He passionately outlines his points by breaking them down into areas to better explain his reasoning and criticizes such items as the ‘dumbing down’ of learning material, the perception of responsibilities between the four groups, inclusion of children with special education needs (and the over-diagnosis of such), different priorities, accountability, and student discipline.  The book is disparaging and argumentative in tone and ends with a recommendation for both parents and parents-to-be to look into either private or home schooling options.

“Why Our Children Aren’t Learning in Public School” is aimed at anyone involved in the public school system and in all four of his groups – teachers, parents, administration, and legislators.  I get the impression that the book is partially to inform the general public on the roadblocks he’s faced over his five-year career and partially to scold those that fall under the parent, administration, and legislator categories.  Kantorek writes, “The group into which I fall, teachers, is the only one that truly has the best interests of the children in mind.”  Although I disagree with his stereotyping of each group as I have endured my share of apathetic, mis-educated, and even regularly-absent instructors from K through post-graduate school, I do have to applaud him if he was able to maintain his unwavering and total commitment to his students despite the obstacles and let-downs. 

“What’s right with America is a willingness to discuss what’s wrong with America.”   Keith A. Kantorek begins his first chapter with an appropriate quote from Harry C. Bauer before delving into his passionately critical book of the public school system.  Written from a teacher’s point of view, “Why Our Children Aren’t Learning in Public School” takes a stab at the many difficulties instructors face when trying to teach in today’s public schools. 

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