I Wont Learn from You -Op/084

Despite the social and economic despair that pervades many U.S. public schools, meaningful learning and teaching are nevertheless possible, declares famed educator Kohl. To overcome the ``massive rejection of schooling by students from poor and oppressed communities,'' Kohl ( 36 Chil dren ), in these five inspirational, optimistic essays, outlines teaching strategies designed to unlock students' energy, intelligence and drive by encouraging them to envision ways to improve their world. He believes that both teachers and students should cultivate ``creative maladjustment,'' channeling personal discontent into moral or political action. Kohl defends multiculturalist curricula as central to the struggle for fairness. Turning to higher education, he argues that issues of academic freedom and ``political correctness'' are used by neoconservatives to mask their desire to control ideas in the university and to push out ethnic and women's studies. (Apr.)