The Knowledge Gap

The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System--and How to Fix it

By: Natalie Wexler

Narrated by: Natalie Wexler

“Essential reading for teachers, education administrators, and policymakers alike.” —STARRED Library Journal

The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis

It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware.

But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.

Thoughts on The Knowledge Gap

As a 65 year old retired educator, that employed many of the skills/strategies eschewed in this book, it’s hard to process all this. That said, I admit to developing a “taste” for SoR and found this book extremely illuminating. I realize (now) that this information had been available when I was still working, yet somehow I had never heard it...and I always tried to stay current through professional books & literature. To me, reading with students at their instructional level was “the” strategy I employed for 36 years so all of this information will take a while for me to accept (for now). The other major “reveal” to me was the influence of background knowledge on comprehension. Obviously, I knew its importance but not to the point of infusing a true SS (didn’t see much science) curriculum rather than increasing my LA time. Fascinating. Again, I’m not there (yet) but will further pursue this area of study.
One more point...thank you for putting this on audio (very few books on curriculum, especially Reading/Language Arts are on audio) as I could listen to it while walking...I wish more professional books were on audio. Thank you.

Must Read!!

Extremely insightful and some of the case studies were surprising. This book helped me better understand my own education and the structure of the schools that I work in.

Teaching Challenges of the 21st Century

Very thorough presentation of the educational dilemma in our public school system. Too bad it was written just before the COVID Pandemic, which stretched the schools, teachers, students, as well as the parents in meeting the educational goals set forth in a world ravaged by the greatest health scare in 100 years. The author seems to know her business. I hope we can get our schools back on track.

Absolutely Phenomenal

I cannot express how much this book has shifted my thinking in regards to elementary education. I read this book in an ebook format and then decided I needed to listen to it again because there was so much information and I wanted to hear it again. I am now recommending this book to all the ES teachers I know. A must read.

Such a great read/listen!

My son is in the first grade and this book has made me feel much better equipped to make sure his education is well-rounded.

The research that has gone into this book is impressive, but the author writes in a way that makes the facts accessible to all.

I have told so many fellow parents they need to read this book.