Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider - The Education Wars: A Citizen's Guide and Defense Manual

"The Education Wars: A Citizen's Guide and Defense Manual," authored by Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider, delves into the contentious nature of public education debates in the United States. The book aims to explain why there has been prolonged conflict over schools, tracing the roots of these disputes back through American history. Public education, being democratically governed in a diverse society, has naturally become a battleground for various issues such as patriotism, religion, communism, race, and gender.

Currently, the intensity of these battles is amplified by political polarization and a decline in trust in public institutions. The authors argue that these conflicts are exacerbated by influential donors who have vested interests in privatizing education. These donors promote school voucher systems, aiming to shift students from public to private schools, a move historically opposed by the American public.

Despite the bleak outlook, the book also highlights successful community efforts to support and defend public schools. The authors emphasize that public education is vital not only for learning but also as a cornerstone of democracy. They advocate for a unified defense of public schools to ensure their survival and to maintain a crucial democratic institution.