Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-208) and index.

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.