Blind Spots in the American Education System: Session 136 with Kim Berens

Dr. Kim Berens (@KimberlyBerens5) joins me for a third time to discuss her new book, Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them.* In this show, we talk about her motivation to write this book, what she believes is wrong with the current approach to educating children in the United States, and what can be done to remedy this situation.

Like our recent episode with Amelia Bowler earlier this month, this is another great example of people trained in Behavior Analysis stepping out of our community and speak directly to a broader community. In short, it's an excellent model of dissemination, and should be applauded for this reason, along with all the other excellent attributes of the book.

I was honored to write a blurb for the promotion of the book, and if you'll indulge me, I'll share it here:

In 1984, B.F. Skinner wrote The Shame of American Education, in which he described how the American educational system failed to incorporate scientifically validated instructional practices. Sadly, this paper is just as relevant after almost four decades since its publication. In Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them, Dr. Kimberly Berens courageously picks up where Skinner left off by shining a light on the dysfunctional practices of the American educational establishment. In doing so, she debunks many popular myths that pervade current educational practices. More importantly, Dr. Berens offers concrete solutions for helping all students learn through the application of the natural science of behavior. This is a book that should be read by every parent, school board member, administrator, and teacher.

I could go on and on both about this book as well as the interview I'm about to play. But instead, I'll just ask you to give the show a listen, and if you're so moved, to pick up a copy of the book. Or even better, gift a copy of the book if you happen to know a teacher, school administrator, and so forth.

Here are the links for the references that came up in Session 136:

• Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them.*
• Kim's first and second appearance on the podcast.
• Kim's website, DrKimberlyBerens.com.
• Kim's interview on The Controversial Exchange.
• A Liberated Mind,* by Steve Hayes.
• Re-Booting Capitalism,* by Anthony Biglan.
• Dr. Biglan's Twitter handle.
• Neuroplasticity,* The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series, by Moheb Costandi.
• FitLearning Atlanta Lab.
• Cambridge Center white paper on Project Follow Through.
• My interview with Michael Maloney (with discussion of Project Follow Through).
• IXL.com (K-12 website that uses fluency based strategies).

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