Distinguished historian and policy analyst Maris Vinovskis examines federal K - 12 education policies, beginning with the publication of ""A Nation at Risk"" and focusing on the ""National Education Goals"", ""America 2000"", ""Goals 2000"", and ""No Child Left Behind"". In addition to discussing key policy debates, he also addresses the practical aspects of implementing and evaluating school and classroom reforms, drawing on his unique experiences working in the Department of Education during both the George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations.