This title will give students and other readers a clear understanding of the true state of public and private education systems in the United States by refuting falsehoods, misunderstandings, and exaggerations-and confirming the validity of other assertions. This work is part of a series that uses evidence-based documentation to examine the veracity of claims and beliefs about high-profile issues in American culture and politics. Each book in the Contemporary Debates series is intended to puncture rather than perpetuate myths that diminish our understanding of important policies and positions; to provide needed context for misleading statements and claims; and to confirm the factual accuracy of other assertions. This particular volume examines beliefs, claims, and myths about public and private K-12 education in the United States. Issues covered include categories of public and private schools and variations in academic performance and socioeconomic status therein; controversies surrounding school choice, including school vouchers and charter schools; accountability and assessment of private and public schools; debates about school environment, safety, and curricula; and teacher and administrator quality. All of these issues are examined in individualized entries, with objective responses grounded in up-to-date evidence. Features an easy-to-navigate question-and-answer format Uses quantifiable data from respected sources as the foundation for examining every issue Provides readers with leads to conduct further research in extensive Further Reading sections for each entry Examines claims made by individuals and groups of all political backgrounds and ideologies

Leading Dynamic Schools: How to Create and Implement Ethical Policies is a policy book for people who work in and with schools: teachers, building level leaders, central office administrators, board members, and parent boards. In accessible language, the authors deconstruct the conceptions and understandings of educational policy. This volume serves as a companion volume to Principals of Dynamic Schools (Rallis and Goldring, Corwin Press, 2000) and Dynamic Teachers (Rallis and Rossman, Corwin Press, 1995), books that introduced the construct of dynamic schools. This book also draws on work from Becoming a Reflective Educator (Reagan, Case and Brubacher, Corwin Press, 2000). Policy is an often overused and more often misunderstood concept. The authors bring to life the making and enacting of educational policy in schools, and help readers develop a more sophisticated and complex understanding of the purposes, evaluation, creation, and implementation of school policies at all levels. As in the earlier books, the authors use vignettes and cases, as well as research and relevant theories, to illustrate important concepts. The theme of power within policy permeates the text. The authors recognize that policy tends to represent dominant voices, and that power can be appropriate and legitimate. Dynamic schools are places where multiple voices contribute to the policy-making and implementing process.

Leading Dynamic Schools: How to Create and Implement Ethical Policies is a policy book for people who work in and with schools: teachers, building level leaders, central office administrators, board members, and parent boards. In accessible language, the authors deconstruct the conceptions and understandings of educational policy. This volume serves as a companion volume to Principals of Dynamic Schools (Rallis and Goldring, Corwin Press, 2000) and Dynamic Teachers (Rallis and Rossman, Corwin Press, 1995), books that introduced the construct of dynamic schools. This book also draws on work from Becoming a Reflective Educator (Reagan, Case and Brubacher, Corwin Press, 2000). Policy is an often overused and more often misunderstood concept. The authors bring to life the making and enacting of educational policy in schools, and help readers develop a more sophisticated and complex understanding of the purposes, evaluation, creation, and implementation of school policies at all levels. As in the earlier books, the authors use vignettes and cases, as well as research and relevant theories, to illustrate important concepts. The theme of power within policy permeates the text. The authors recognize that policy tends to represent dominant voices, and that power can be appropriate and legitimate. Dynamic schools are places where multiple voices contribute to the policy-making and implementing process.