This book examines and re-evaluates the history and purpose of public education in the United States, whilst providing practicing teachers, teacher educators, graduate education students- and all others interested in enhancing education, a discussion on the relationship between education and policy.

Deborah Greenblatt is an Assistant Professor of Multicultural Early Childhood and Childhood Education and the Clinical Coordinator at Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York.

Nicholas M. Michelli is Professor of Education at Johns Hopkins University teaching in the doctoral programs at the School of Education. He was a Presidential Professor Emeritus in the City University of New York's PhD program in urban education in the policy analysis, teacher education and leadership strand and Professor and Dean Emeritus at Montclair State University.

Lisa Auslander is the Principal Investigator and Project Director for Bridges to Academic Success. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hunter College.

Stacey Campo is the Deputy Director for youth programs with Children's Aid and a Senior Academic Advisor at Johns Hopkins University School of Education.

Sharon J. Hardy is the Director of Enrollment at The City University of New York's School of Labor and Urban Studies. She is also an adjunct Assistant Professor at Hunter College in the Educational Foundations & Counselling Department and an adjunct Senior Academic Advisor at Johns Hopkins University School of Education.

Tina Jacobowitz is Professor Emerita at Montclair State University where she served as Chair, Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Literacy Education.

Audra M. Watson is the Director of WW Teaching Fellowship Programs at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.

List of Figures and Tables; Foreword; Acknowledgments; 1: Why Should We Educate in a Democracy? The Moral Imperative; 2: What are the Different Meanings of Democracy and Social Justice?; 3: What is Knowledge and How Does it Lead to Power and Success?; 4: Critical Thinking as a Lifelong Tool; 5: The Role of Imagination and Confronting Life's Chances; 6: Critical Democratic Education as a Way to Prepare for Civic Participation in a Social and Political Democracy; 7: Working in Educational Settings; 8: Accountability and Assessment; 9: Mobilizing for Change; 10: Conclusions and Some Hopeful Signs; Index