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This book offers prospective teachers a realistic look at teaching as a profession. The writing is clear and accessible. The research base and documentation are the strongest on the market. The book is organized around four parts. Part One of America's Teachers, "Teaching as an Occupation," goes into extensive depth on motives for teaching, the job market, teacher salaries and evaluation, trends in teacher education, teacher organizations, and legal issues. Part Two, "Schools and Society," offers full chapters on the history, philosophy, sociology, and politics of education, emphasizing the effects of increasing cultural diversity. Part Three, "Issues for the Twenty-First Century," explores the ongoing competition between public schools and private schools and analyzes trends in the curriculum, particularly the drive to state standards and high-stakes testing. For prospective teachers.