Designed to provide the knowledge and understanding teachers need in order to make informed decisions, this comprehensive selection of readings addresses numerous challenging issues facing education today: vouchers, charter schools, accountability, high-stakes testing, bilingual instruction, technology, and others. The readings were chosen to support today's emphasis on professionalism in teaching, and so meet three essential criteria: 1) They address central issues; 2) they are accessible to prospective, novice, and veteran teachers alike; and, 3) they offer multiple perspectives on the issues they address. The range of authors reflects the broad spectrum of educational thinking today, while the ten-part organization and special features maintain the authors intended focus on maximizing learning opportunities and encouraging personal and professional reflection.