-The question that dismays all teachers and ought to concern every parent because of what it reveals about what school can do to a child's curiosity -- ?Will this be on the test?' -- will never be answered again in the same way. Bob Rothman offers a rich and compelling account of the unfolding revolution in testing in America's schools.-
-- Richard P. Mills, Vermont commissioner of education

An award-winning journalist, Rothman cuts through the assessment debate -- a debate often characterized by misrepresentations and jargon -- to offer a highly accessible examination of...

Clio at the Table provides important historical perspectives on contemporary education policy issues. Based on a conference held in honor of Carl Kaestle, one of the most eminent education historians in the United States, the book includes chapters that address some of the major concerns of U.S. education today, all of which are particular foci of Kaestle s work: urban education, equity, the role of the federal government, and national standards. On each topic, the book presents summaries of new research and explores the uses of history to help further the connections between...