Cheating Our Kids How Politics and Greed Ruin Education

by Williams, Joe

• ISBN13: 9781403968395
• ISBN10: 140396839X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-10-07
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Summary

Think that the education system serves our children? Think again. Shining light on the special interests controlling our schools, where politics and pork infuse everything and our childrens education is compromised, journalist Joe Williams shows how parents can use consumer power to put children first. He argues that increased accountability and choice are necessary, and shows how the people can take back the education system, enhancing responsibility inherent in democracy. The solution is a new brand of hardball politics that demands competence from school leaders and shifts the power away from bureaucrats and union leaders to the people who have a the greatest reason to put kids first: concerned parents. With practical steps and uplifting examples of success, this is a manifesto to action.

Author Biography

Joe Williams writes about education and the New York City schools for The New York Daily News. Previously, he covered education for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel where he won numerous local and national awards for his coverage of that city's private school voucher program. His children attend public schools in Manhattan, where he lives.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments	vii
Children Last	1	(12)
Public Education, American Style	13	(16)
The Public Education Cartel	29	(18)
The Plight of Teachers	47	(16)
No Vendor Left Behind	63	(12)
The Elephant in the Room	75	(28)
Democrats and Republicans (But Mostly Democrats)	103	(24)
Friends with Deep Pockets	127	(18)
The Corporate Role in Reform	145	(16)
Leadership and Voters	161	(22)
Kids Can Come First	183	(26)
Parent Power	209	(32)
Notes	241	(16)
Bibliography	257	(2)
Index	259