An elusive science : the troubling history of education research

Since its beginnings at the start of the twentieth century, educational scholarship has been a marginal field, criticized by public policy makers and relegated to the fringes of academe. An Elusive Science explains why, providing a critical history of the traditions, conflicts, and institutions that have shaped the study of education over the past century. 'In this candid and incisive study, Lagemann examines how Americans perceive the pcople who practice education and explains why their low-status work has undermined the possibilities for developing a strong profession community and generative scholarly tradition. ... A stark yet rnlightening look at American education, research methodologies, and federal government funding agencies and their practices.'