Reforming America’s schools 1980‐2000

Examines the causes, strategies, and dynamics of excellence era educational reforms in the USA. Assesses economic, social and political environmental pressures to reform American education. Examines major governmental, professional, citizen, and market policies promulgated across three generations of reform: an intensification era of government actions to repair the existing school system, a restructuring era focused on improving educational organization and governance, and a reformation era blending standards and accountability mechanisms with citizen and consumer‐oriented reforms. Scrutinizes political, structural, individual, and social dynamics that explain progress and stasis in American public education.