John T. Bruer, PhD

John T. Bruer

John Bruer is the president of the James S. McDonnell Foundation in St. Louis. The Foundation supports scientific, educational, and charitable causes locally, nationally, and internationally.

He received a BA in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin in 1971, a bachelor's of philosophy from Oxford in 1974, and a PhD in philosophy from Rockefeller Universityin 1974. His thesis for his PhD was entitled "Classical Mechanicsas a Limiting Case of Quantum Theory). He has served as directorsand program administrators for many foundations, including the HealthScience Division of the Rockefeller Foundation and the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation.

His interests are in the application of cognitive science to education reform.

Books by Bruer:

myth

Bruer's book on the myth of the first three years represents hisopinions that public policy tends to over-simplify brainresearch. He criticizes the Zero-to-Three theory by saying: "If our intent is to use science and research to formpolicy, to guide educational practice and to give parents assistance, it'sincumbent on people putting forth those arguments to get the science right. If theychoose not to get the science right, if they choose to misinterpret it orover-simplify, we just have another instance of political rhetoric."