Professors Donald and Jo Ann Parkersons’ new book, The Arc of Educational Change, examines the history of education in the United States through the lens of collaboration. Like the eminent, early twentieth-century Americanist historians, Charles and Mary Beard, the Parkersons have collaborated on seven books of history. The works of both the Beards and Parkersons were significantly enhanced by their insightful careers of professional collaboration. In The Arc of Educational Change, the Parkersons survey the foundation of American education, then describe how collaboration’s major forms: intellectual, movement, public/private, and collective impact initiatives, all facilitated educational reform. Avoiding traditional, narrow perspectives, the Parkersons examine how varied innovators, including philosophers, women, minorities, and government officials, directly and indirectly influenced each other to move educational reform forward. The Parkersons successfully argue In The Arc of Educational Change that there is enhanced value and deeper understanding in applying the many manifestations of collaboration to the history of education in the US.

Kenneth Wilburn, D.Phil. Oxford, Professor Emeritus, East Carolina University

In The Arc of Educational Change, Jo Ann and Don Parkerson draw upon the insights of their extensive experience as historians of American education. In their latest volume, they tackle how the "great man theory" has unduly influenced American Educational historiography. They identify four types of collaboration in the history of education and use them to uncover a range of groups and interests that truly contributed to the development of the American educational system. A strongly recommended addition to any university or community college library, this book will be of interest to educators, parents, and anyone with a stake in the future of American education.

Heather Lyn Seibert, Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of North Carolina Wilmington