James Traub -- author of article on Hyde

[Anonymous]

One of you questioned James Traub's expertise, credibility, and qualifications.  Here is information about Mr. Traub released by Random House, the publisher of one of his recent books:

JAMES TRAUB has been writing about the politics, culture, characters, and institutions of New York City for twenty-five years. Currently a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, he has also served as a staff writer for The New Yorker and has written for the country?s leading publications in fields as diverse as foreign affairs, national politics, education, urban policy, sports, and food. He is the author of two books with New York City settings?one on the Wedtech scandal of the mid-1980s, the other on City College of New York. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and son.

 
The evidence suggests that Mr. Traub is a very accomplished author and journalist.  His insight into Hyde's complexity and the controversy surrounding the school is astute, insightful, and thoughtful.  One may agree or disagree with Traub's observations.  However, clearly he is not a dilettante or amateur. Anyone considering Hyde should read Traub's article on decide for themselves.  The article is: http://www.educationnext.org/20051/22.html

[Anonymous]

Thank you.  This is very helpful.  Yes, everyone considering Hyde should read this article.

[HydeFan]

INSERT (ALSO POSTED BELOW):

Ok parents, here is the obvious thing I forgot to say in this stream.

I don't have the exact facts here, so my primary statement is, if you want literature on Hyde, read this article by Traub the economist/public policy wonk, who may or may not have a college degree, and who may or may not have an axe to grind that's either personal or socio-psycho-economic-political.

But also call Hyde and ask for copies of the videos of Hyde on 60 Minutes (twice?), 20-20, Barbara Walters (I think her son or daughter went there), and all the other national publicity from less questionable sources. Call and ask for the news stories on Hyde in the written press.

And then read them all.

Its not all flattering, but by and large, there has been a fair amount of prestigious news coverage on Hyde over the years.

And some of it actually reasonably captures the vision and the dream of what many individuals and families have experienced first hand.

ORIGINAL POST:




I never thought he was an amatuer, just not a specialist in education.  He's a writer.  And as far as we know, not a Ph.D. (or have a masters) in anything, let alone education.

And at least by Malcolm's account he seemed to have spent very little time looking at Hyde.

If that's true, that mirrors my personal experience, as what I saw was that for a lot of extremely well educated, high-functioning parents (multi-millionaires in many fields), it often took a LOT of time to "get" Hyde.

Indeed, some can be there for four years and never get it.

Anyway, you don't even need to have a college degree to be a writer.  I'm sure he does.  He probably went to Stanford, but that is a far cry from making him a specialist in eduction, and if I was a parent, I would simply take this as one more data point and continue to get an informed opinion as to whether Hyde is right for their child.

Without Traub's credentials as a specialist in education however (not politics, economy, etc.) and a back-story for how he came to write this piece, I put his comments only slightly above yours.  Relevant for sure, but not something on which I would make a conclusive assessment.[ This Message was edited by: HydeFan on 2005-10-03 06:16 ]

[Anonymous]

On 2005-10-02 15:41:00, HydeFan wrote:

"I never thought he was an amatuer, just not a specialist in education.  He's a writer.  And as far as we know, not a Ph.D. (or have a masters) in anything, let alone education.



And at least by Malcolm's account he seemed to have spent very little time looking at Hyde.



If that's true, that mirrors my personal experience, as what I saw was that for a lot of extremely well educated, high-functioning parents (multi-millionaires in many fields), it often took a LOT of time to "get" Hyde.



Indeed, some can be there for four years and never get it.



Anyway, you don't even need to have a college degree to be a writer.  I'm sure he does.  He probably went to Stanford, but that is a far cry from making him a specialist in eduction, and if I was a parent, I would simply take this as one more data point and continue to get an informed opinion as to whether Hyde is right for their child.



Without Traub's credentials as a specialist in education however (not politics, economy, etc.) and a back-story for how he came to write this piece, I put his comments only slightly above yours.  Relevant for sure, but not something on which I would make a conclusive assessment."

HydeFan: You seem to be very concerned about Traub's credentials.  You quesion whether he has expertise in the education field.  Does that mean that you also think (to be consistent) that the Hyde staff who run seminars that sound and look an awful lot like therapy sessions should have training to be able to deal with people who cry their hearts out and scream at family members during sessions, and become very upset as they talk about suicide, child abuse, marital affairs, eating disorders, and all that?  Many of the people I met during my two (plus) years at Hyde dealt with these issues in seminars. Many felt pressured by Hyde leaders to talk about these issues. But the people Hyde had running these seminars had NO professional training to deal with this stuff.  I will never forget the seminars where people "lost it" and the staff didn't know how to deal with it.  That's why I'd never send my kid to Hyde (among other reasons).  Yes, some people may have found the Hyde experience useful -- I'm glad you did.  But many others have horrible scars from the experience, and Hyde should accept some responsibility for that.

[HydeFan]

More classic misdirection.  In couples therapy one learns that in order to fight fair, you need to stay on topic.

Yes, I am concerned with credentials.  Everyones.  And if you want to start another stream on Hyde credentials go for it, but don't confuse the topics, because while they share a common issue, they are, in fact, different topics.

Moreso your last comment is the most revealing.  In essence it seems that you want Hyde to say its sorry.  That would be the request of someone who feels hurt.  I am sorry your experience was bad.  No doubt others have bad experiences at Hyde.  Hyde is hard, and its rigorous truth telling no doubt threatens families and people at their core.

And this may or may not have anything to do with credentials.

But similar to my comments on Traub, without the backfill (i.e., your personal story), no one can really say if some sort of amends is appropriate.  

If I tell someone the truth (in an appropriate context) and that's a bad experience for them, there is a fairly good chance no appology is needed.  Indeed, that they are still ruminating on it years later suggests the possibility that the comments and process went to the persons core.  

As a general statement, a lot of people's anger (is viewed by psychologists) as a superficial emotion.  That is, its a defense, protecting the person from experiencing their (hurt/pain, etc.).

And some people hold onto that hurt/pain for decades, maybe their entire lives.

Anyway, I am just guessing, but this sounds very personal for you (ok, not an extremely profound guess), and if that's the case, vent YOUR STORY.  You may have been a victim of abuse.

Or, you may still be in denial and unwilling to look at the deeper truths that will allow you to move on with your life in the most healthly and productive way possible.

[HydeFan]

Ok parents, here is the obvious thing I forgot to say in this stream.  

I don't have the exact facts here, so my primary statement is, if you want literature on Hyde, read this article by Traub the economist/public policy wonk, who may or may not have a college degree, and who may or may not have an axe to grind that's either personal or socio-psycho-economic-political.

But also call Hyde and ask for copies of the videos of Hyde on 60 Minutes (twice?), 20-20, Barbara Walters (I think her son or daughter went there), and all the other national publicity from less questionable sources.  Call and ask for the news stories on Hyde in the written press.  

And then read them all.

Its not all flattering, but by and large, there has been a fair amount of prestigious news coverage on Hyde over the years.

And some of it actually reasonably captures the vision and the dream of what many individuals and families have experienced first hand.