The Abyss, by Dan D. Shinzel

Mr. Schinzel is a lifelong educator who has seen the system from the inside. He dives head-first into his subject in this clear-headed, well-organized book. He looks at each aspect of the public school system, teachers, bureaucrats, teacher colleges, students and discipline. He points out how each of these, in its own way, has been corrupted by the progressive philosophy of John Dewey. Dewey was a prominent pragmatist who dominated American thought (especially regarding education) during the early Twentieth Century.

Dewey's theory of education as communicated by Mr. Schinzel emphasized self-actualization and self-esteem, ranking these higher than learning subject matter. Dewey was of the opinion that this would lay a foundation, the rest would come to the student due to his now heightened sense of self. He would be motivated to find knowledge and more receptive when he ran across it. Dewey thought it was more important to mold citizens than it was to mold scholars. Unfortunately, Dewey had the whole self-esteem thing backwards. He failed to see that self-esteem springs from mastery of subject matter not vis versa. He failed to see that the best citizen is the informed citizen.

With extraordinary command of his subject matter and supported by concise statistics, Mr. Schinzel demonstrates the manner in which the education establishment has failed in its mission to educate America's youth. This has much to do with a vicious cycle, teacher's colleges indoctrinate educators, educators indoctrinate students and these same dumbed down students enter teaching colleges to begin the cycle all over again. "The Abyss" gives us a solution to this problem, it calls for less generalization and an emphasis on scholarship and subject matter at every level of education from middle-school onward. This system makes considerable sense when one considers that there is already a highly successful model for it in the university system.

Attacking each aspect of education in a similar manner and delivering practical solutions is what "The Abyss" is all about. This is a book that will influence policy-makers, school board members and individuals all across the country. In the hands of the right people it is a vehicle for intelligent and much needed reform. "The Abyss" is a must read for anyone involved in education, whether they are a school administrator, a teacher or simply a parent considering where to send their children to school.

This book is available at Amazon.com