Rather than forcing all public schools to adopt one model of reform, something that authoritarian countries have done for years, genuine educational reform should encourage local choice on curriculum and instructional strategies grounded in best practices—practices defined as such by teachers, researchers, and professional associations that represent various disciplines

Parenthetically, for those of you who are interested, it was the authors
of “A Nation at Risk” who convinced Reagan NOT to shut down the Department
of Education…

None of these abuses would have been possible if our country had educated children towards becoming the types of adults capable of recognizing and acting against threats to life, liberty, and happiness.