Moderating the Debate: Rationality and the Promise of American EducationHarvard Graduate School of Education

The Harvard Education Press recently released Moderating the Debate, authored by the National Research Center's Michael Feuer, based on a series of lectures he conducted at HGSE last year.

Moderating the Debate examines the complex-and often problematic-relations between education research, policy, and practice. He proposes ways to improve education research, policy, and practice through education reform. Feuer starts with an examination of how recent developments in cognitive science have fundamentally changed the way we understand human decision making and rational judgment. He also assesses how lessons of cognitive science might inform a more rational-and reasonable-approach to education research, policy, and reform. Feuer investigates and offers practical solutions to the impasses and disconnections that have disillusioned workable, sustained education reform.

"Cognitive psychology and behavioral economics have much to teach us about the complexity and limits of human reason," said Michael McPherson, president of the Spencer Foundation. "Feuer draws on those teachings-and on his deep experience in applying science to educational problems-to build a timely and persuasive case for a patient and incremental approach to education reform."

Feuer is the executive director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education in the National Research Council of the National Academies. He was the first director of the Center for Education at the National Academies and the founding director of the Board on Testing and Assessment.

Moderating the Debate: Rationality and the Promise of American Education is available from the Harvard Education Press.