Authoritative and objective, Education in Crisis: A Reference Handbook is a critical look at the current state of the American school system, the conditions that have led many to label it "in crisis," and solutions aimed at leveling the educational playing field, elevating overall student achievement, and keeping American students competitive on the world stage.

Education in Crisis shows how competing economic, political, philosophical, psychological, and global interests have influenced American education reform. It then covers a range of reform initiatives,...