ABSTRACT
This chapter examines America's educational system from state, national, and international perspectives. It provides the reader with a "place at the table" as outstanding educators from across the country discuss the difficulties of implementing change in America's schools. As the state of education has made newspaper headlines, best-seller lists, and the evening news, business leaders, politicians, and the general public have joined in the debate on school reform. Traditionally, the effectiveness of education has been considered from the standpoint of the opportunities offered to students. Efforts such as these are narrowing the purview of local decision making. From this environment comes a chorus of demands that local schools and teachers be held accountable for what students learn or, more precisely, for what they do not learn in the classroom. Regarding the areas of learning for which standards should be written, English, mathematics, science, history, and geography have traditionally led the list.
