Designed to Fail: A History of Education in the United States

The history of American education is presented in a format that links the intentions of those who designed the system, that is, to fail 80 percent of students, and the practices schools have inherited from the past that deny opportunity to children today.

About the Author :
Ira David Socol is a boundary-breaking educational futurist and systems thinker. A longtime advocate for Universal Design for Learning and accessibility, Ira developed Toolbelt Theory and the Freedom Stick-tools that reframe technology as a means of personal empowerment and equitable access. Named one of the nation's Top 30 Technologists, Transformers, and Trailblazers by the Center for Digital Education, Ira brings visionary insight and deep practical wisdom to the urgent work of designing learning environments that center children-even as artificial intelligence reshapes our world.Ira's work challenges conventional schooling and embraces innovation that restores agency, opportunity, and imagination to all learners. His focus on human-centered design pushes beyond the boundaries of traditional education, centering the needs and voices of children in creating inclusive, flexible environments.He is the co-author, with Pam Moran, of Timeless Learning and a forthcoming book on codesigning learning with students. His other works include Education Reimagined: A Space for Risk and Designed to Fail: A History of Education in the United States, which critiques the colonial roots of American schooling. Across all his writing and leadership, Ira calls for a transformation in education-one that connects learners through curiosity, community, and care.

Review :
"Ira Socol's book is a call to all educational leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to engage in the critical, and often overlooked, task of asking 'why' our educational system operates the way it does. It is through understanding the 'why'-the historical, socio-political, and economic rationales behind our schooling practices-that we can truly begin to envision and enact the change we can't yet even imagine. By examining the roots of our educational beliefs and practices, Socol not only exposes the systemic challenges we face but also inspires us with the resilience and dedication of those working within these constraints. This book is an essential read for anyone committed to understanding the complexities of our educational system and seeking to make it more equitable, inclusive, and effective for all learners. Let us embrace the power of 'why' to fuel our journey forward."-Melissa Emler, Chief Learning Officer, Modern Learners "Socol is unapologetic in the fight to build schools for kids, not adults. He pulls back the sheets on several long-held "best practices," which, if you know Socol, he would probably call "worst practices." Socol takes an honest look at our traditional education system and identifies the root cause of several systemic harms imposed on our children. He is not satisfied with tradition as an excuse for stagnation or oppression. Ira is only interested in what works for learning and, more importantly, how to set all kids up for success and get out of their way."-Ryan Cordia, Founding Principal, Northeast Career and Technical Academy, Las Vegas, Nevada "I have known Ira Socol for many years and have long appreciated his keen intellect, deep knowledge of education history and policy, and most of all, his unwavering passion to make schooling work for all children. In "Designed to Fail," Socol offers a thoughtful yet unvarnished look at how the American education system came to be and why it continues to fall short for so many students. With righteous anger tempered by scholarly insight, he traces the troubling origins of many educational practices we take for granted, exposing how they were intentionally designed to limit opportunities for marginalized groups. What sets this book apart, however, is that Socol does not merely critique - he also charts a path forward. Drawing on his vast experience as an educator and reformer, he provides concrete ways that schools can be redesigned to truly serve all learners. While acknowledging the magnitude of change required, Socol's vision is ultimately one of hope. He understands the transformative power of education when done right, and this book is a powerful call to create schools worthy of our children. This book is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of education in America."- Punya Mishra, Associate Dean of Scholarship & Innovation in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University