Beyond Rhetoric

While John Dewey is an icon of American education and his work object of comprehensivestudies, this book ventures to fill gaps that have been neglected by previous research.In particular, it opens new perspectives on Dewey's theory of curriculum, his concept ofdemocratic education, his role as an administrator and the extent to which his philosophyof education coincided with the practice of the Laboratory School teachers. Thus, theauthor joins the ranks of those who strive to historicize Dewey's pragmatist pedagogyand contextualize his celebrated school experiment.Drawing on new archival research and dozens of overlooked sources, Knoll offers numerousinsights into what was and was not original in Dewey's pedagogy, and to what degreeDewey and his associates were successful in faithfully implementing his complicatedvision. This is Dewey scholarship at its very best! Thomas Fallace, author of Dewey and the Dilemma of Race"While many historians have chronicled the growth of John Dewey's educational philosophy,very few have traced in detail its application by Dewey in the real world. In thissuperb critical study of Deweyan educational reform, Michael Knoll does both. At oncea tour de force and a cautionary tale." Andrew Feffer, author of The Chicago Pragmatists and American Progressivism"Michael Knoll's meticulous archival research places Dewey's work both in the longsweep of the history of educational ideas and in the context of Dewey's historical moment.Knoll highlights significant transatlantic currents in the New Education, illuminates misunderstoodor overlooked episodes in Dewey's lifework, and humanizes Dewey. Knoll'sfindings and interpretations will challenge scholars to reassess prevailing perspectivesnot only on Dewey's work, but also on early 20th century education reform in the US." William G. Wraga, author of Progressive Pioneer: Alexander James Inglis (1879-1924) and American Secondary Education