Carol A. Mullen      1/18/2015 1:13 PM
Remembering John Goodlad

I was in the company of a sage when I interviewed John Goodlad 10 years ago (spring 2005). I felt struck by his powerful messages for schooling and educational research and practice. He said our schooling culture is disconnected, so he wanted to help unite “a common mission” among subcultures. Because of policymakers’ control over education, he said that “it is much more difficult for democratic leaders to be heard today and for their inquiry-based ideas to shape schooling enterprises.” He hoped that “the subcultures of schooling will unite around the only one that counts: the individual school with its community.” Another message was that scholarly productivity must be “defined in qualitative terms.” Goodlad was a fierce protector of the common school and its liberties, and he was passionate about the education of future generations. Carol A. Mullen, PhD, Professor, Virginia Tech

Don Ernst      12/15/2014 4:37 PM
Passing of John Goodlad

John Goodlad taught me a sacred thing...that education and democracy should be deeply connected. I first met John at an AERA meeting as a young education staffer for a young governor from Arkansas named Bill Clinton. Gary Fenstermacher arranged for John and Al Shanker to "debate" the future president on his teacher testing policy. Lee Shulman faciliated the discussion. I found meaning in John's arguments. I sent him a letter and he invited me to study at the University of Washington. I will always be grateful for his mentoring and wisdom. John saw the hiope of democracy in the eyes of every child. I am honored to have learned so from him. Thank you John for your service Don Ernst, Little Rock