Letters to the Next President What We Can Do about the Real Crisis in Public Education

This stellar collection of more than 30 letters speaks to the heart of public education, the future of American students, and the need for an educated and engaged citizenry. Contributors include students, parents, teachers, prominent educators, and public leaders who write to our next president in an honest and direct way about the dangerous shortcomings of current state and federal policies. The letters provide provocative answers to critical questions such as:7What kind of education do we want for all of our children?7What changes must we make to achieve that goal?7How do we ensure that the voices of parents, teachers, students, and citizens who care deeply about public education are heard at local, state, and national levels?This timely volume provides a strong response to government intrusions that have resulted in thousands of pages of under-funded requirements for local schools and districts. It offers practical and just solutions for guaranteeing higher standards, real equity, and more responsible local control; for attracting and retaining good teachers; for improved school choice and the promise of small schools; for universal high-quality early childhood education and a rich, academically sound and engaging curriculum-including service learning-for all students.