Table of Contents
Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11
Introduction 14
Chapter 1 What Policies Should Guide School Reform?
Chapter Preface 18
1 The Common Core State Standards Are Good for Education: Council of Chief State School Officers 20
2 Why Common Core Isn't the Answer Marion Brady 29
3 Federal Spending on Education Should Be Limited Lindsey M. Burke 36
4 Government Spending on Education Needs to Be More Equitable Marin Gjaja J. Puckett Matt Ryder 48
5 Teachers' Unions Should Be Eliminated Richard A. Epstein 54
6 Teachers' Unions Are a Positive Force for Education Amy B. Dean 62
Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 69
Chapter 2 How Should Students, Teachers, and Schools Be Evaluated?
Chapter Preface 71
1 Standardized Testing Is Harming Student Learning Mary Elizabeth Williams 73
2 Standardized Testing Is a Good Way to Measure Student Learning Herbert J. Walberg 80
3 Disappearing Act: End the Testing Fixation Before It Erases More Meaningful Education Virginia Myers 89
4 Evaluating Teachers by Student Test Scores Can Be Arbitrary Molly Rusk 96
5 Students Should Evaluate Their Teachers Amanda Ripley 105
Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 114
Chapter 3 What Role Should School Choice Play in School Reform?
Chapter Preface 116
1 School Vouchers Are a Good Way to Promote School Choice Casey Given 118
2 Winning the War on Charter Schools Reihan Salam 125
3 Charter Schools Are a Bad Idea Diane Ravitch 132
4 Why School Choice Fails Natalie Hopkinson 137
5 The Entire Public School System Should Be Abolished C. Bradley Thompson 141
Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 151
Chapter 4 Should Curriculum Content is Schools Be Reformed?
Chapter Preface 153
1 Math Has to Be at Least a Little Boring Konstantin Kakaes 155
2 How Much Math Do We Really Need? G.V. Ramanathan 160
3 Teachers Should Have the Freedom to Teach Critiques of Evolution John W. Wltitehead 164
4 Schools Should Teach About Religion Mark Fowler Marisa Fasciano 173
5 Allowing Schools to Teach About Religion Is Dangerous Kevin Ryan 179
Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 185
For Further Discussion 186
Organizations to Contact 188
Bibliography of Books 195
Index 199
