Explores trends in US student achievement, comparisons of different educational models, differences in private and public schooling, and positive characteristics of US schooling other countries want to emulate.

US student achievement trends downward as other countries improve / Linda Darling-Hammond -- American schools possess strengths other countries want to emulate / Yong Zhao -- US schools can achieve more by doing less / Lawrence Baines -- Low standards cause America's poor educational performance / Amanda Ripley -- Blending traditional and online learning improves achievement / Jonathan Schorr and Deborah McGriff -- Private funders struggle to make an impact on education reform / Helen Zelon -- Large class sizes are unfair to students / Scott Thill -- US colleges lack the rigor needed to compete globally / Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa -- US students trail global peers in foreign language learning / Lewis Beale -- College access is shrinking despite demand for an educated workforce / Kim Clark -- Education budget cuts forecast a less prepared workforce / Gary Scharrer -- The United States must produce better teachers to compete globally / Judith Kleinfeld.