Cheating Our Kids Ho Politics and Greed Ruin Education [Hardcover]

Journalist Joe Williams shows how parents can use consumer power to put children first, shining light on the special interests controlling our schools, where politics and pork infuse everything and our children's education is compromised. 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,Cheating Our Kids: How Politics and Greed Ruin Educationis a manifesto to action.

Introduction * Children Last * Public Education, American-Style * The Public Education Cartel * The Plight of Teachers * No Vendor Left Behind * The Elephant in the Room--The Teachers Unions * Democrats and Republicans (But Mostly Democrats) * Friends with Deep Pockets * The Corporate Role in Reform * Leadership and Voters * Kids Can Come First * Parent Power

A powerful and hard-hitting expose of how selfishness, expediency, and greed undermine our schools and our children's future--and what can be done about it

Williams&makes full use of his journalistic skills in this blistering analysis of public-school politics&vivid anecdotes&Cheating Our Kidshits an inspirational note with its instructive explanation& Washington Post Book World

Joe Williams' prescription for the ills of public education pulls no punches in naming the names of the many 'bums' who worry more about the adults and their paychecks than about the kids and whether they're learning. Williams calls on teachers, principals, superintendents and mayors to put kids first. But he also argues that only parents - organized, committed, willing to be 'crazy' on behalf of their children and allolã$