Faculty member Brewer edits one book and co-authors another

University of North Georgia (UNG) faculty member Dr. T. Jameson Brewer contributed to two books earlier this year that both touch on the theme of privatization in education.

Christopher A. Lubienski and Brewer, assistant professor of social foundations and education at UNG, were the editors for "Learning to Teach in an Era of Privatization," released July 19. The book provides an "in-depth examination of the impact of market-based reforms on both teaching and teacher preparation," according to a description from Teachers College Press.

Kathleen deMarrais, Brewer, Brigette A. Herron, Jamie C. Atkinson and Jamie B. Lewis teamed up to write "Philanthropy, Hidden Strategy, and Collective Resistance: A Primer for Concerned Educators," released in March. The book examines "specific strategies philanthropists have used to impact both educational policy and practice in the U.S., as well as the legal and policy context in which these initiatives have thrived," according to a description from Myers Education Press.

Brewer said efforts to privatize K-12 and higher education have largely gone unnoticed by the public.

"There's a significant amount of dark money being put into the politics of education that's outside the area of public oversight that is pushing a very specific ideological agenda," Brewer said. "The first goal is shedding light on that reality, and hopefully the public will push back on the erosion of what has long been understood to be a public and common good. The knowledge in these books will hopefully elicit some action."