Hot-Button Issues in Today's Schools

Sheldon Marcus is professor of educational leadership and policy at Fordham University's Graduate School of Education. Philip D. Vairo is former president of Worcester State College in Massachusetts and dean emeritus at California State University in Los Angeles.

Marcus and Vairo have written a book which every teacher, school administrator, parent, and taxpayer should read…If all the people involved with the education of our children would read this book, schools would be much improved.

• Part 1 Preface: Who Wrote This Book and Why?Part 2 IntroductionPart 3 Part I: The Teacher and the PrincipalChapter 4 Are You Happy with Your Child's Classroom Teacher?Chapter 5 Is Your Child's Principal a Real Leader?Chapter 6 Male Teachers in the Primary Grades: Where are They?Chapter 7 Should Parents Play a Role in the Selection, Promotion, Compensation, and Dismissal of Teacher's and Principals?Part 8 Part II: Classroom Management and OrganizationChapter 9 Homogeneous versus Heterogeneous Grouping: What Are Your Views?Chapter 10 Promotional Policies: Where Do You Stand?Chapter 11 Classroom Discipline: What Kind Do You Want for Your Child?Chapter 12 How Can Homework Be Utilized as an Effective Learning Tool?Chapter 13 Children with Special Needs: Where Do They Fit?Part 14 Part III: Curriculum and Textbook IssuesChapter 15 The Three Rs and Rote Learning: Are They Outdated?Chapter 16 Bilingual Education: What Does It Really Accomplish?Chapter 17 Is There a Place for Diversity in the Curriculum?Chapter 18 Textbooks Used in Our Schools: Have You Reviewed Them?Part 19 Part IV: EvaluationChapter 20 Report Cards and Standardized Tests: What Do They Tell You?Chapter 21 Can You Help Your Child Who Is a "C" Student Become an "A" or "B" Student?Chapter 22 Parent-Teacher Conferences: What Is Your Plan?Part 23 Part V: Evolving IssuesChapter 24 Nutrition and the School Cafeteria: How is Your School Doing?Chapter 25 Sex, Drugs, Smoking, and Other Health Concerns: Do They Belong in the School Curriculum?Chapter 26 What Can Be Done to Improve School Safety and Avoid Violence in Our Schools?Chapter 27 College Admission: Is It Ever Too Early to Plan for Your Child's Future?Part 28 Part VI: Alternative StrategiesChapter 29 School Vouchers: Problems or Opportunities?Chapter 30 Homeschool Instruction: A New Era or an Educational Error?Chapter 31 Summer School, After-School Activities, and the Extended School Year: Are New Directions Needed?Chapter 32 Public, Private, or Religious Schools: Which One for Your Child?Part 33 Concluding RemarksPart 34 Supplementary Reading