Explores the state of education, school choice, schools and religion, and funding issues.

ch. 1. What is the state of education in America? American students perform poorly compared to students in other countries / Amanda Ripley -- American students perform favorably compared to students in other countries / Gerald W. Bracey -- Teachers' unions have not been good for American education / Terry M. Moe -- Bipartisan, but unfounded: the assault on teachers' unions / Richard D. Kahlenberg -- ch. 2. Are school-choice alternatives a good idea? The educational bonanza in privatizing government schools / Andrew Bernstein -- The republican war on education / Ruth Conniff -- School vouchers are a good alternative to public schools / Gary Jason -- False choice: how private school vouchers might harm minority students / Matthew McKnight -- In defense of school-choice tax credits / David French -- Tax credits for school choice do not benefit taxpayers and students / National Education Association -- ch. 3. Should religion and religious ideas be part of public education? Public schools have been overly sanitized of religion / John W. Whitehead -- Public schools are rightfully neutral on religion / Americans United for Separation of Church and State -- The ruling religion in schools / Kurt Williamsen -- Mr. Dawkins, tear down this wall! / Satoshi Kanazawa -- Debate about evolution should be taught in science class / Casey Luskin -- Neither creationism nor debate about evolution should be taught in schools / Heather Weaver -- ch. 4. How should the education system be improved? Federal spending on education should be cut / Neal McCluskey -- Federal spending on education should not be cut / Robert L. Borosage -- Merit pay for teachers should be used to improve education / Frederick M. Hess -- What's wrong with merit pay? / Diane Ravitch.