Excellence vs. Equality

Reviews / Votes

"Excellence vs. Equality challenges us to consider a potential tradeoff between two socially valued goals and the strategies to address them jointly as well as the consequences of failing to do so. Ornstein presents historical, philosophical, technological, and empirical insights on the imperative and its policy options. For example, can universal identification and nurturing of talent from infancy through adulthood combine to promote excellence and greater equality? This well-written book provides an engaging and thoughtful perspective for social action."


Henry M. Levin, William H. Kilpatrick Professor of Economics and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA





"Allan Ornstein asks the reader to think about questions related to wealth and class, innovation and technology, and excellence and equality. Can society provide equality of opportunity for ordinary folks or will opportunity be reserved for those from inherited wealth and privilege? To what extent does society reward talent and merit while providing for those with average or less-than-average abilities and skills? Alternatively, he concludes that performance and pay should be based on people serving and helping the common good and common purpose, not a free market or survival of the fittest mentality. This is a must-read for anyone concerned with fairness, social justice, and/or growing inequality in the U.S. or around the world."


William Owings, Professor of Finance, Old Dominion University, USA


"This book does not deal with school reform, administrative leadership or effectiveness strategies. It is more like a welcome sermon to re-awaken in readers the moral obligation to dedicate themselves to creating a more just society."





M. Donald Thomas, President, Public Education Support Group, USA