For far too long we have nibbled around the edges of the public education issues and problems. This book, A Worm in the Apple: The Inside Story of Public Schools collects information from a broad spectrum of research and, most importantly, the actual class room experience of an experienced teacher. The chapters take the reader through the key elements of both the successes and failures of our schools brought on by certain aspects of our society, politics and selfishness. Few escape the spotlight exposing the causes of problems; least of all parents. The examination of parenting and its relationship to the children's preparation for school and the expectations derives from actual experience and observations as well as how the society drives parents away from the best interests of their children. Actual stories and anecdotes are written to summarize what every teacher experiences and what the net result is for the kids who actually WANT to learn something and those that don't.