US education is in crisis. This history and analysis of the education system is an essential primer for parents, teachers, and school administrators, as well as parent-teacher organizations, education majors, education administration majors, the media, politicians, and everyone who wants to see American schools do a better job. Voters, reformers, and those who lead public opinion need to know more about what has been tried, what has worked and what has failed, and how it is that other countries sometimes out-perform our schools. The author considers various aspects of public education systems from elementary school through university, the genesis of public schools in the United States, trends in education and reform and issues that still need to be addressed. The book contains information about public and private organizations, think tanks, institutions, and governmental bodies involved in public education reform.