This Happened in America

This long awaited biography of Harold Rugg is a dramatic andcompelling story with profound implications for today's educators.Harold Rugg, one of the leading progressive educators of the 20thcentury, developed an innovative social studies program and textbookseries that was censured by conservative critics during the 1940s. Readthe full story behind Rugg, the man and the educator, and the critics whoattacked him.Harold O. Rugg was professor at Teachers College, ColumbiaUniversity, and a key leader among the social frontier group that emergedin the 1930s to argue that schools should play a stronger role in helping toreconstruct society. He was author of a best selling social studiestextbook series that came under attack from patriotic and business groupsin the early years of World War II. The story of his rise and fallencapsulates a pivotal episode in the history of American education andreveals a great deal about the direction of schooling in American life, themany roads not taken, and possibilities for the future. This in-depth examination of Rugg's life and career provides historical perspective onthe recurring struggles over education. It will be of interest to every citizen concerned about the future of our democracy. Includes morethan 60 photos and graphics.